"Travis Hafner was not at his locker before Wednesday night's game against Oakland at Progressive Field. In his place, was a large gray and white plastic walking boot.

If you're into signs, this doesn't seem like a good one regarding the chances of Pronk returning to the lineup sometime in the season's final month. Hafner was placed on the disabled list after injuring his right foot trying to leg out a double against Detroit on Aug. 21. There was talk the foot, which has hampered Hafner since late April, would need surgery.

So much for signs and talk.

Hafner and head trainer Lonnie Soloff returned Wednesday from visiting an out-of-state doctor who treats NFL players. The news was good. "