Indians activate designated hitter Jason Giambi, missed first 18 games with rib fracture
4/21/2014CLEVELAND — The Indians, as expected, have activated designated hitter Jason Giambi from the disabled list.
Giambi missed Cleveland’s first 18 games with a rib fracture sustained during spring training. He’s in the lineup batting seventh for Monday’s series opener against Kansas City.
To make room for Giambi, the club optioned reliever Blake Wood to Triple-A Columbus. He went 0-1 with a 7.11 ERA in seven games.
The 43-year-old is in his second season with the Indians. He batted just .183 in 71 games a year ago, but Giambi provided leadership and came up with some big hits in the clutch. He finished with nine homers and 31 RBIs in 186 at-bats.
Indians manager Terry Francona said his club has missed Giambi during his absence. Giambi is expected to have a similar role this season, playing some DH and being used as a pinch-hitter.
Giambi has a career .278 average with 438 homers.