Designated hitter Pat Burrell will have missed five games before possibly returning to the lineup Sunday.
Burrell has been bothered by a stiff neck for the better part of two weeks, and when it didn't respond to treatment, he underwent an MRI and an examination by Dr. Tom Tolli, the team's spinal consultant. The result is that Burrell will receive a cortisone shot Friday that doctors hope will reduce the inflammation. He then will be re-evaluated Sunday morning.
Manager Joe Maddon said the news actually wasn't bad.
"It doesn't look awful," Maddon said. "The doctors just want to see how he reacts to the shot over the course of the next two days after that. We'll have a better idea how to read it Sunday."
Burrell was signed to a two-year, $16 million contract to add right-handed power to the lineup but has yet to produce much. He has a .250 average and 17 RBIs but has been primarily a singles hitter, with five extra-base hits, only one of them a homer.
INDIANS 11, RAYS 7: The Rays were excited to come home, but they didn't play like it, falling behind 9-0 in the top of the sixth before rallying to briefly make it interesting. RHP James Shields allowed five runs (two earned) and 10 hits and worked only five innings, putting a further strain on the bullpen. INF Ben Zobrist hit a three-run homer for the Rays.
