Damon joins Indians
5/1/2012CHICAGO — Johnny Damon has joined the Cleveland Indians and manager Manny Acta plans to put his new outfielder in the starting lineup Wednesday.
The team purchased Damon's contract today and made room on the roster by designating infielder Jose Lopez for assignment before the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox.
Acta says the plan was for Damon to spend a day with his new teammates and take batting practice in Chicago before starting Wednesday night.
The 38-year-old Damon, now in his 18th major league season, needs 277 hits to reach 3,000. He signed a minor league deal with the Indians on April 17 and has spent the last few weeks getting ready at the club's facility in Goodyear, Ariz.