Choo back with Indians

The Cleveland Indians have activated outfielder Shin-Soo Choo from the disabled list.

Choo has been sidelined since spraining his right thumb on July 3, an injury that cost Cleveland’s best player a spot on the AL’s All-Star team. Choo, batting .286 with 13 homers, 43 RBIs and 12 steals, is in the starting lineup batting third for Friday’s series opener against Tampa Bay.

To make room for Choo, the Indians placed left-hander Aaron Laffey on the 15-day DL with “shoulder fatigue.” Laffey underwent an MRI on Thursday. The test did not show any structural damage and team doctors are hoping rest will help.

Laffey is 2-3 with a 4.62 ERA in 25 games.