Veteran journeyman Jack Hannahan beat out 23-year-old Lonnie Chisenhall for Cleveland’s starting third base job this spring and played well in the early going, but today the Indians placed him on the disabled list and recalled Chisenhall from Triple-A.
Hannahan missed 11 games with a back injury, returned to the lineup Saturday, and is now being shut down with a strained calf. Jose Lopez is starting at third base today, with Chisenhall at designated hitter.
Chisenhall struggled in a 66-game debut with the Indians last season, hitting .255 with seven homers and a .699 OPS while posting an ugly 49/8 K/BB ratio. He had a similarly ugly 20/4 K/BB ratio in 28 games at Triple-A this year, but was also batting .324 with an .893 OPS and if Chisenhall plays well right away he might stick in Cleveland even after Hannahan returns.