Infirmary Report: Reyes Could Miss Season, Hafner Setback

Let's start with the excruciating news.

Team doctor, Mark Schickendantz... Who's name I wouldn't have used if it wasn't so funny. Do they pronounce it Chicken Dance?

Anyway.. Dr. Chicken Dance says that Reyes needs an "ulnar nerve transposition" which means I have no clue. That would end his season. Reyes will be going for a second opinion to Dr. Yocum, who some regard as the second member of the "Dr. Death Duo" along with Dr. James Andrews.

This stings... He's probably done for the season. We've got pitching problems to boot. Some probably think good riddance, I think, he had something and that's more than nothing.

The good news is... Jake Westbrook is on his way.

Westy will ramp up his rehab to three innings or 50 pitches down in extended spring training. The target date for his rehab assignment with the minor leagues is now the first week of June, which is next week. Which is good. The plan is for him to make four-five starts.. which means.... He'll probably be ready to go by the start of July or the very tail end of June.

That's about how long Aaron Laffey will be out as well, so it's not like Laffey can come back in a few weeks and hold the fort.. It's up to David Huff, Jeremy Sowers, Zach Jackson, or whatever retreads the Indians can use.

Laffey is officially out 4-6 weeks with that oblique

The other bad news is Travis Hafner had a minor setback. It had nothing to do with the shoulder that he's trying to strengthen. It was actually a stiffness in his back that flared up in yesterday's game. Obviously that means he won't be activated today and he'll go back on that rehab assignment. I thought he was pulled because they only wanted him getting three at-bats, but it turns out that wasn't the case.

Finally... Joe Smith, who threw a bullpen session today and will go out on a rehab assignment by the end of the week. He'll be a nice boost for this pen that seems to be righting itself.

He might join Travis Hafner at the same time in a rehab assignment. We need Travis back though... That really bites.. David Dellucci must end.