Damon to join Indians tonight

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Johnny Damon brings a presence to the top of Cleveland’s lineup and professionalism to its clubhouse.

Big bonuses for the ballclub.

However, what the Indians are craving is some power.

In fact, any power.

Damon, who has spent the past few weeks at the club’s facility in Goodyear, Ariz., warming up a swing that has produced nearly 3,000 hits and readying his legs for the grind of his 18th season in the majors, will join the AL Central-leading Indians tonight in Chicago when they open a three-game series against the White Sox.

Cleveland signed the 38-year-old outfielder on April 17, a minimal-risk move made to upgrade the club’s outfield and potentially ignite a sputtering offense.

Although they’re in first place, the Indians have been wildly inconsistent at the plate and have gone 11 consecutive games without a home run. According to STATS LLC, Cleveland’s homerless drought is the majors’ third-longest since 2000.

“We’ll hit another one,” deadpanned Indians manager Manny Acta following Sunday’s 4-0 win over the Angels.

Maybe Damon’s arrival will be the spark to end the power outage.

The Indians signed him to a minor league deal that will become a one-year, $1.25 million major league contract when he’s added to the 40-man roster. Damon can make another $1.4 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances. The Indians will have to clear a roster spot to make room for Damon, who was initially expected to spend some time in the minor leagues.

Damon was initially expected to share playing time in left field with Shelley Duncan, who won the starting job in training camp and got off to a great start but is slumping badly.

In Cleveland’s first nine games, Duncan batted .333 with two homers, six RBIs and 10 walks. But in Duncan’s last 10 games, the free swinger is hitting only .147 with no homers and 16 strikeouts. He’s fanned 12 times in his past seven games, becoming almost an automatic out.

Damon will likely start in left field tonight against the White Sox.