Indians’ Asdrubal Cabrera put on DL with sprained shoulder, Barfield called up from Triple-A

Indians’ Cabrera put on DL with sprained shoulder

MINNEAPOLIS — The Cleveland Indians are testing the limits of their medical staff.

Middle infielder Asdrubal Cabrera was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, due to a sprained left shoulder suffered in a collision while sliding into second base the night before. Cabrera will miss two to four weeks, trainer Lonnie Soloff said.

Cabrera became the ninth player on Cleveland’s DL, tied for most in the majors with the Tampa Bay Rays, and the third to be shelved in the last four days. The 23-year-old Cabrera was off to a strong start in his first season as a regular, rotating between second base and shortstop and batting .316 with a team-high 38 runs, 13 doubles, 27 RBIs and seven steals. He was filling the leadoff spot vacated by three-time All-Star Grady Sizemore, who was sent to the disabled list last weekend.

Center fielder Ben Francisco batted first in Wednesday’s game at Minnesota, with Luis Valbuena at second base and Jhonny Peralta playing shortstop. Outfielder Josh Barfield was recalled from Triple-A Columbus to take Cabrera’s place on the roster.

Cabrera sprained the AC — short for acromioclavicular — joint in his shoulder when he ran into the leg of Twins shortstop Brendan Harris while trying to break up a double play in Tuesday’s game. Cabrera had to be helped off the field in the first inning and was in severe pain. He had an MRI that revealed the diagnosis that won’t require surgery.

“All things considered, it could’ve been a lot worse,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “With where we’re at, you can’t complain about it.”

The prognosis is worse for reliever Rafael Betancourt, who was put on the DL on Monday. An MRI exam on the right-hander’s groin muscle revealed a moderate strain that will keep him out for four to six weeks, Soloff said.

Barfield is on his third stint in the majors already this season. For Columbus, he is batting .220 with 17 RBIs in 27 games.