An MRI performed on the back of Cleveland Indians third baseman Jack Hannahan has revealed mild inflammation around the area of the facet joints. The facet joints are found at every spinal level — except at the top — and provide about 20% of the twisting stability in the neck and low back.
Hannahan, listed as day-to-day with the back inflammation, has not played since May 13 in Boston where he tweaked his back mid-game. The 32-year-old is hitting .287 on the season with three home runs and 18 runs batted in, providing a lot of the team’s offensive firepower early in the season when the team as a collective unit was struggling at the plate.
Veteran infielder Jose Lopez has filled in at third base in his absence, having at least one hit in each of the team’s last three games.
The Indians are awaiting the results of a second MRI on the wrist of starting pitcher Josh Tomlin who has been out since going seven-and-one-third innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on May 7. He experienced inflammation in the back of his wrist a couple of days later and said it may have stemmed from gripping the ball a little harder after a couple rain-slicked pitches slipped out of his hand.
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