The Indians have welcomed back one of their key bench pieces, while at the same time saying goodbye to another.
The club activated outfielder Brandon Guyer from the 10-day disabled list Thursday. The 32-year-old had been out since May 19 with a cervical strain. To make room on the roster, fellow veteran outfielder Melky Cabrera was designated for assignment.
Guyer is in his third season with the Tribe after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2016 trade deadline. He has mostly been a platoon player (.278 lifetime batting average against left-handers), but has struggled so far this season, hitting a paltry .150 overall and just .229 against lefties, along with -0.7 WAR.
Cabrera, a former All-Star, inked a minor league contract with the Indians in late April before being called up to the majors on May 21. He played in only 17 games, hitting .207 with 11 RBIs and an anemic 43 OPS+.
Guyer will start in right field and bat fifth Thursday against the Chicago White Sox, who are starting lefty Carlos Rodon.
