Kipnis has been on the 15-day DL since Aug. 2 due to discomfort in his right shoulder and the Indians want to ease him back into the mix as a designated hitter before asking him to play second base. The only issue with that at the moment is that left fielder Michael Brantley (left shoulder) is in a similar situation, and returned to the lineup Monday as the designated hitter for the Tribe.
Once Brantley is cleared to return to the outfield, it will be easier for the Tribe to activate Kipnis. Brantley missed four of the past five games, including the past three in Minnesota, with the shoulder issue, which has bothered him off and on for a couple of weeks.