Indians place ailing Kipnis on 15-day DL

Associated Press

The Cleveland Indians have put All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis on the 15-day disabled list because of chronic inflammation in his right shoulder.

The Indians sent their leadoff hitter back to Cleveland to be examined by team doctors before the start of a series Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels.

Kipnis leads the American League with 132 hits, and is batting .326 with six home runs and 39 RBIs in 101 games.

The Indians recalled infielder Jose Ramirez from Triple-A Columbus. They also optioned left-hander Michael Roth to Triple-A and recalled lefty Kyle Crockett.

BELTRE HITS FOR CYCLE

Adrian Beltre had his third career cycle Monday night, becoming the first major league player since the 1930s to accomplish that feat.

Beltre homered in the fifth inning for the Texas Rangers to complete the cycle, doing so against three different Houston pitchers. The third baseman also had a two-run triple in the first inning, a double in the second and a single in the third against AL West-leading Houston.

The last major leaguer with three career cycles was Babe Herman, who had two in 1931 and one in 1933 according to research provided by the Elias Sports Bureau to the Rangers. The only other big leaguers with three career cycles are Bob Meusel (1921, 1922 and 1928) and John Reilly (twice in 1883 and 1890).

All three of Beltre’s cycles have come at the Rangers’ ballpark, two for the home team and his first when he was playing for Seattle on Sept. 1, 2008. Beltre’s other cycle for Texas was Aug. 24, 2012 against Minnesota.

It was the ninth cycle in Rangers history, and second this season. Shin Soo-Choo accomplished the feat July 21 at Colorado.

Crisp returns from injury

Oakland Athletics left fielder Coco Crisp has been activated from the 60-day disabled list after being sidelined with a strained neck since May 20.

Crisp was in the lineup and batting second for his return Monday night in the opener of a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles. Manager Bob Melvin said he expects Crisp to play a couple of games then get a day off as he gets back into the flow.

The A’s optioned outfielder Jake Smolinski to Triple-A Nashville to clear roster room. Oakland also recalled right-hander Arnold Leon from Nashville to get a better look at the reliever in a new bullpen role, Melvin said. Right-hander Dan Otero also was optioned to Nashville.

RHP Gray to make MLB debut

Colorado Rockies top pitching prospect Jon Gray is expected to make his major league debut Tuesday night against the Seattle Mariners.

Gray, 23, was the third overall pick in the 2013 draft. The hard-throwing right-hander was 6-6 with a 4.33 ERA in 21 games — 20 starts — for Triple-A Albuquerque this season. In his last six starts he is 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 38 strikeouts.

Gray has moved quickly through the Rockies’ system. He was 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA in nine minor league starts in 2013 and was 10-5 with a 3.91 ERA in 24 starts with Double-A Tulsa in 2014.

He was Colorado’s highest pick since right-hander Greg Reynolds was taken second overall in 2006. Reynolds won only six games in his major league career.