"Travis Hafner missed his third consecutive start Saturday night, but the Indians' designated hitter isn't expected to be out for long.

''Sliding into the plate Wednesday night, Travis strained a tendon on the bottom surface of his right foot,'' head trainer Lonnie Soloff said, making reference to an MRI that Hafner underwent on Friday.

Doctors want Hafner to stay off the foot as much as reasonably possible, but that doesn't mean he might not pinch hit over the weekend.

''Beware, Pronk is ready to come off the the bench at any time,'' manager Manny Acta said. ''All he has to do is take off his [walking] boot.''

On the other hand, Acta won't take chances.

''The goal of the treatment plan is to keep the foot as inactive as possible,'' Soloff said. ''Travis will wear a walking boot when he's away from the field until Monday. At that time, he will be re-examined to determine his availability to start a game.''

In other words, Hafner might return to the lineup Tuesday night in Oakland against the Athletics.

''The fortunate thing for us is that Travis has responsibility only to be the DH,'' Soloff said. ''He has to run and make left turns. Our optimism is based on that.''"