The Cleveland Indians' Travis Hafner has been out of the lineup for a couple of days, but it looks as though there is a chance he could return soon.
From a release on the Cleveland Indians' web site, Pronk got a cortisone shot on Tuesday that may help his shoulder inflammation. When asked about his return, Hafner hoped to be back on Friday.
The shoulder problems could go a long way towards explaining Pronk's production slippage so far this season.
After having MVP-type numbers in 2005 and 2006, Hafner's home run total dipped from 42 in 2006 to 24 in 2007.
So far in 2008 Hafner is hitting just .217 with 4 home runs and 22 RBI. Now granted, he also has a stolen base (he has 7 total in his career), but I'm assuming most pitchers don't feel they need to keep Pronk too close to the bag. Normally Hafner starts the season like a fireball and the last two seasons he has had slower months of April and May.
With any luck Hafner, who turns 31 on June 3, can get his shoulder problems straightened out. He was an absolute game-changer when he was healthy and if the Indians want to have any shot at a postseason run, Pronk is going to have to be healthy.
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