Michael Bourn injury: Cleveland outfielder to start rehab assignment on Monday

Bourn has been out since April 14 with a lacerated finger.

By Connor Moylan May 5, 2013, 4:05pm EDT

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Bourn will begin his minor-league rehab assignment on Monday, and should be back with the team later in the week.

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Bourn originally injured his hand sliding headfirst into first base, attempting to beat out a groundout. Matt Thornton unintentionally spiked his hand on the play, causing a laceration on his right index finger.

The outfielder needed five stitches in his hand, and could not play with the stitches in his hand. The Indians opted to put Bourn on the disabled list while he healed.

Bourn will begin his minor-league assignment Monday night in Triple-A Columbus. Bourn is expected to play a few games with the minor-league team, then join the major-league team later in the week.

The outfielder swung the bat well before going on the disabled list. Bourn hit .333/.375/.600 with two home runs and one stolen base in his first 48 plate appearances. Bourn started all ten games in the leadoff spot, and will likely return their when his is activated.

The Indians will be happy to welcome Bourn back in the lineup, but their offense has been effective without the veteran. The Cleveland offense leads the American League in OPS at .815, second in the majors behind the Colorado Rockies. The Indians entered Sunday 14-13 on the season, three games behind the Detroit Tigers for first place in the AL Central.