Indians activate Gomes ahead of postseason run

The Cleveland Indians activated catcher Yan Gomes ahead of Friday's tilt against the Kansas City Royals.

Gomes hasn't played since July 17, and was expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his right hand Sept. 16 during a rehab assignment.

The Indians clinched the American League Central title Monday.

Manager Terry Francona said he wasn't completely surprised to see Gomes return in a hurry, but told reporters he "knew there was a possibility." He added Gomes has been cleared to catch, but not yet to hit.

"In fairness to him, I didn't ever want to ever come out and say that, because he probably shouldn't have been ready," Francona said Friday. "The odds were stacked against him. If he didn't play again, I didn't want anybody to think that he (didn't try to come back)."

Despite being the Indians' everyday catcher, Gomes has battled through injury this season, and his numbers show it. In just 71 games, he's slashing .165/.198/.313 with eight homers, though he's never had a chance to get in a groove.

In June, Gomes missed time due to a testicular contusion. A month later, he suffered a separated shoulder after an awkward fall at first base.

After working on another comeback, he was hit on his right hand during a rehab game and has been out since.

"I saw every day what he was trying to do," Francona said. "So, I would rather have him maybe surprise people, just because I didn't want to put him in a predicament."