Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon went 1-for-5 in the Indians’ 8-3 win over the Red Sox on Thursday.

Damon is hitting .171/.194/.257 through 35 at-bats. It’s too early to know the extent to which he will contribute this season. While he is a better player than he has demonstrated thus far, it would be wise to temper expectations of the 38-year-old.

Johnny Damon returned to action on Thursday May 3.

Johnny Damon is serving as the Indians’ designated hitter on Thursday night against the White Sox.

Damon made an early exit from his debut Wednesday due to what was described as “general cramping,” apparently brought on by the cooler weather in Chicago. He finished that game 0-for-3 with a walk.

Johnny Damon left Wednesday’s game due to “general cramping.”

Well, OK then. We can’t imagine it’s more than a day-to-day thing, so hopefully Damon will be back out there Thursday night. He was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in his Indians debut before exiting.

Johnny Damon will bat leadoff and play left field in his Indians’ debut Wednesday against the White Sox.

Indians manager Manny Acta said Tuesday that Johnny Damon will bat leadoff on the days he plays.

Damon carries a decent .353 career on-base percentage and the Indians have struggled for production out of the leadoff role, so the strategy does make some sense. Damon is expected to make his Tribe debut Wednesday.

Johnny Damon is not in the Indians’ starting lineup on Tuesday evening against the White Sox.

Damon was added to the Tribe’s active roster on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to get regular playing time between left field and designated hitter. But he’s on the bench for his first game with Cleveland.

The Indians have confrimed that Johnny Damon will meet up with the team Tuesday in Chicago.

Damon signed a minor league contract with the Tribe earlier this month that will pay him a prorated $1.25 million salary while he’s in the major leagues and carries another $1.4 million in performance-based incentives. The 38-year-old is expected to serve as a part-time left fielder and designated hitter. He batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs, 73 RBI and 19 stolen bases last season for the Rays but can probably be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues.

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer predicts that Johnny Damon will join the Indians on Tuesday.

On that day, the Tribe begins a three-game series against the White Sox. Damon will be worth using in AL-only and deeper mixed leagues. The 38-year-old will function as a part-time left fielder and DH this year.