"Travis Hafner was re-introduced to a bat on Friday and the meeting went well. He took some swings -- in baseball terms he took some dry swings -- and everything felt fine with his injured right oblique muscle.

"I'll hit off the tee on Saturday and go from there," said Hafner.

Hafner strained the oblique muscle, which is located on both sides of the rib cage, during batting practice on May 18 at U.S. Cellular Field. Hafner and his .345 (39-for-113) batting average have not been in the lineup since.

Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, said Hafner could be in "game activities' in two weeks. That would probably be in a rehab situation.

"The injury is frustrating," said Hafner. "The team is doing great this year. I was swinging the bat well so obviously you want to be in there and playing every day. But they continue to play well. You just look forward to getting back as quick as you can.""