CLEVELAND — For the last eight months, the Indians have had to deal, on and off, with center fielder Michael Bourn’s hamstring issues. The injury has now surfaced again, and it could result in Bourn being placed on the disabled list. Bourn was removed from a game against the White Sox on Sunday due to tightness in his hamstring.
This is the latest in a series of problems Bourn has had with his hamstring. He first injured it in the last regular-season game of last year. He did play in the Indians’ loss to Tampa Bay in the wild-card playoff game, but shortly after the season, Bourn had surgery on the hamstring.
Halfway through spring training of this year, however, the hamstring flared up again and Bourn began the season on the disabled list. He was activated off the DL on April 15, but is now in danger of going back on the DL with the same injury.
A hamstring injury is particularly troubling for Bourn, who as a center fielder, leadoff hitter, and three-time stolen base champion in the National League, relies a great deal on his speed. Having a less-than-healthy Bourn in the lineup prevents the Indians from getting the full benefit of Bourn’s skills.
On Sunday, the Indians recalled outfielder Nyjer Morgan from Triple-A Columbus to play center field and hit leadoff in place of Bourn. Indians officials seem willing to wait a few days to get a better feel on the seriousness of Bourn’s latest hamstring injury. If the injury lingers for longer than that, it’s likely Bourn would be placed on the disabled list.