MINNEAPOLIS -- Baseball can be fun, and also very cruel.
That sums up the past 24 hours for Indians catcher Yan Gomes, who exited Sunday's 6-1 win over the Twins in the fifth inning with a right shoulder injury. After ending a long hitless drought with a third-inning double -- a breakthrough that elicited a celebration by his teammates in the dugout -- Gomes tumbled hard at first base on a groundout in the fifth.

The Indians noted that Gomes, who was carted off the field, will travel Cleveland for a meeting on Monday with Dr. Mark Schickendantz to learn more about the extent of the injury. It is possible that the Indians will activate catcher Roberto Perez (right thumb surgery in May) from the disabled list, considering he has built up to nine innings in a Minor League rehab assignment.

With one out and the Indians holding a 1-0 lead in the fifth, Gomes chopped a pitch from Twins starter Kyle Gibson to the left side. Third baseman Eduardo Nunez gloved the grounder, but his throw across the diamond pulled first baseman Kennys Vargas off the bag. Gomes had to quickly maneuver around Vargas, who made a sweeping tag as the catcher lunged for first base.

Gomes appeared to land awkwardly on the base before falling hard and rolling to the ground in foul territory. With Gomes in obvious pain, Indians manager Terry Francona and James Quinlan, Cleveland's head athletic trainer, hustled to the field to tend to the catcher. Quinlan worked to wrap Gomes' right arm in a sling as the catcher held an ice pack on his shoulder.

After several minutes, a cart was brought to Gomes to help him leave the field amidst cheers from the audience at Target Field. He also appeared to be favoring his left leg, but the Indians only mentioned the right shoulder in the announcement about the injury.

The setback continued what has been a seemingly constant run of misfortune this season for Gomes. The catcher's woes in the batter's box even led his teammates to hold a mock ritual prior to Saturday's game. During the light-hearted ceremony, Cleveland's players (wearing colorful capes) prayed to the baseball gods to free Gomes of his struggles. They even had Gomes slice a rotisserie chicken as a fake sacrifice.

MINNEAPOLIS -- A slip on the stairs has led to a slight shakeup for the Indians' bullpen.
On Sunday, Cleveland announced that reliever Tommy Hunter has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a non-displaced fracture in a lower-back vertebra, an injury he sustained while tripping on some steps while carrying his son over the All-Star break. The fracture was discovered after an MRI exam on Saturday, and Hunter is now headed back to Cleveland to consult a specialist.

"During the break, he had a little mishap at home," Indians manager Terry Francona said on Sunday morning. "He did enough where he called the trainers but thought in a couple days it'd be OK. So we were trying to protect him the last couple days. And then he was out there throwing last night, and he was just feeling it.

"We're going to send him back to Cleveland today, let him [meet with] the back specialist, let him get a little better feel for what exactly is going on, timetables, things like that."

The Indians have recalled righty Cody Anderson from Triple-A Columbus to take Hunter's place on the pitching staff for the time being. Given that the Indians played 11 innings on Saturday night, the team wanted to promote Anderson, a starting pitcher, to provide some temporary insurance for the bullpen.

"We didn't get him here to let him sit in the bullpen," Francona said. "We just needed to protect ourselves today."

In 21 games for the Indians this season, the 30-year-old Hunter has posted a 3.74 ERA with 17 strikeouts and five walks in 21 2/3 innings. The right-hander opened the season on the disabled list, but he was activated and placed in Cleveland's bullpen on April 29, following multiple offseason core-muscle procedures.

Anderson, 25, began this season as the Indians' fourth starter, but he found himself back at Triple-A after his early-season woes on the mound.

After a strong rookie showing last year (3.05 ERA in 15 starts), Anderson has gone 1-4 with a 7.48 ERA in nine outings with the Tribe this season. The big righty turned in 36 strikeouts and eight walks in 43 1/3 innings, in which he allowed 63 hits, including 11 home runs. With Triple-A Columbus, Anderson has posted a 4.32 ERA with 30 strikeouts and nine walks in 25 innings.

Last month, Anderson had a stint on the Minor League disabled list due to discomfort in his elbow. In two appearances since being activated, he has given up one run with eight strikeouts and one walk in 5 2/3 combined innings for the Clippers.

Back of the bullpen is falling to pieces, but the front four are solid with Otero and Manship at 3 and 4. Adams finished up smoothly today too. And McAllister is going on rehab. But still need a lefty if not more.

Yandy keeps playing everywhere but 3rd. In left tonight for Columbus.

Zack Meisel @ZackMeisel
Yan Gomes, sporting a sling, says he has some sort of shoulder separation. Francona said Gomes will go on DL, Roberto Perez likely back.

Perez was scratched from his start in Columbus today after Yan injury.

I swear it's no wonder managers dodge questions about "what will happen when so and so comes back?"

Often the situation resolves itself.

Hello Roberto Perez

Worked last night so slept through today's game but just went to MLB and watched all the highlights. Naquin's homer was another golf shot. He is a deadly low ball hitter. If he ever learns to lay off the high fastball he will be something else.

Kipnis' shot was opposite field. He's really locked in right now.

And Napoli with another bomb. 108 mph exit velocity, 2nd time this year he's done that. 449 feet to second deck.

No surprise here. Remember Kevin Love? This is a long, long absence.


Yan Gomes - C - Indians

Yan Gomes was diagnosed with a separated right shoulder after an awkward fall at first base Sunday.

Gomes went head over cleats just before reaching first base on a groundball in the fifth inning and landed hard on multiple body parts, especially his right shoulder.

"The X-rays showed it's a dislocated shoulder," Gomes said after the game, his right arm in a sling. "There is something sticking out of it right now."

He'll be placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday, with Roberto Perez likely taking his roster spot.

Perez has always been considered a great arm; I think nearly as good a receiver as Gomes; and he won't hit worse than Yan has this year. Feel bad for an apparently good guy who couldn't even be saved by a very convincing exorcism, but I think the team should not be severely affected on the field.

Andrew Miller - R - Yankees

Andrew Miller is expected to be the Indians' top trade target, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Cleveland's bullpen consists of entirely right-handed arms and the Indians are intrigued by the possibility of using Miller in a setup role. Of course, the Yankees will be inundated with offers for Miller, who figures to be one of the most coveted relievers available at the trade deadline.

The Nationals, Rangers and Cubs have all shown interest and more suitors should emerge as August 1 approaches.

Yan Gomes - C - Indians

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Indians are "reluctant" to trade for a catcher.

Yan Gomes separated his shoulder in Sunday's win over the Twins and could be out for the season. However, Gomes was hitting very poorly before his injury (.165 AVG in 249 at-bats) and the Indians feel they can probably get by with Chris Gimenez and Roberto Perez behind the plate.

There's a strong possibility the Brewers will deal catcher Jonathan Lucroy before the trade deadline but right now, he's not on the Indians' radar.

The only fit I can see for Andrew Miller is maybe Bauer?

Unless they were enamored with prospect(s) in the system, and Andrew Miller will be damn expensive so I doubt it.

Unlikely at best IMO that Miller goes to the Tribe.

They should have used a live chicken.

Yan Gomes - C - Indians

Indians placed C Yan Gomes on the 15-day disabled list with a separated right shoulder.

Gomes an AC joint separation during an awkward fall at first base on Sunday. He won't need surgery and has a chance to make it back before the end of the season. Chris Gimenez and Roberto Perez will handle catching duties for the time being.

Forget Miller.

Can you say John Rocker or Ricardo Rincon?

Bring back Assenmacher.