Indians activate Gutierrez

The infielder is recovering from neck surgery.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Ricky Gutierrez busily unpacked his bag of bats, looking for a few he could use in games. Not long ago, Gutierrez wondered if he'd ever swing one again.
Gutierrez completed his comeback from offseason surgery on his neck and back Tuesday when the Cleveland Indians activated the infielder from the 60-day disabled list.
"It's not strange being here," said Gutierrez, who underwent the risky procedure in October. "It's exciting. To finally get back up here and play is exciting."
Gutierrez had been sidelined all season after doctors fused two vertebrae in his neck to relieve pressure on his spinal cord.
To make room for Gutierrez, the Indians optioned infielder Jhonny Peralta to Triple-A Buffalo.
Out of shape
Gutierrez had hoped to be ready for opening day and was making good progress during spring training. But because of his long layoff following surgery, Gutierrez was not in shape and the Indians decided to have him start the season in extended spring training in Florida.
"I knew I wasn't ready," he said. "I knew I had to get into baseball shape. The game was going at 100 mph and I was going 30 or 40."
He reported to Buffalo for a rehabilitation assignment June 5 and batted .292 with five RBIs in 16 games.
Gutierrez signed an $11.5 million, three-year deal with the Indians as a free agent before the 2002 season after playing two years with the Chicago Cubs. Cleveland moved him from shortstop to second base.
He injured his neck during a game in April 2002, but instead of telling the Indians he was experiencing numbness and was unable to lift his head without pain, Gutierrez continued to play.
"My respect for Ricky goes back to last year when he was trying to play with what amounted to a broken neck," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "He just sucked it up."
Gutierrez said he had doubts about playing again until spring training, when he was finally able to do things pain free.
Gutierrez can play second, third and shortstop, but with Omar Vizquel on the disabled list and utilityman John McDonald nursing a sore back, the Indians will likely play Gutierrez mostly at shortstop.