Carlos Santana, Jason Kipnis Late Scratches In Today’s Lineup

According to AP’s Tom Withers (and many others), the Indians have scratched Jason Kipnis from today’s starting lineup with a sore elbow. He is currently day-to-day. Kipnis was originally penciled in as the third hitter at his usual second base position in the early draft of the lineup. Ryan Raburn will now instead play second base and bat third in this afternoon’s ballgame against the White Sox in Progressive Field. Kipnis is off to a slow start, hitting just .125 (4-for-32) with 2 RBI and a OPS of just .390. Raburn is 2-for-11 thus far.

Additionally, today’s lineup originally had catcher Carlos Santana batting sixth and playing behind the plate. He, too, has been scratched, after pain in his left thumb at batting practice. Yan Gomes will replace him and bat eighth. Santana was injured on Monday at the home opener when a ball thrown by Chris Perez in the ninth inning hit off his left hand near his thumb. Lou Marson relieved him in that game before going on the 15-day DL himself the next day due to a neck injury sustained over the weekend. Yan Gomes and Omir Santos were both recalled from Columbus to give the Indians some options at catcher the past few days. Santana is 13-for-26 on the young season with two homers and 5 RBI. Gomes is 0-for-7 in two games playing catcher this week.

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