Cleveland Indians' bats receive major boost with activation of Jason Kipnis from disabled list

The Cleveland Indians activated second baseman Jason Kipnis from the 10-day disabled list before Friday night's game against the Chicago White Sox.

Kipnis was in the lineup and slotted to bat sixth in his first game this season.

Before the game, manager Terry Francona said Kipnis was available to play without limitations.

The 30-year-old two-time All-Star was limited to two exhibition games with a right shoulder strain. He then appeared in seven rehab games with Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus beginning April 9.

Kipnis, a two-time All Star, batted .275 with a career-high 23 home runs in the 2016 regular season. In postseason play, he hit .215 with four homers and eight RBIs as the American League Champion Indians extended the Chicago Cubs to seven games in the World Series before losing.

To make room for Kipnis, the Indians assigned infielder Yandy Diaz to Triple-A Columbus. Diaz batted .236 with nine runs scored in the first 15 games of the season with Cleveland.