Indians to test Kipnis in CF following Zimmer's injury

In wake of Bradley Zimmer's broken hand, which is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season, the Cleveland Indians might get creative with his replacement.

The club will test two-time All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis - who's currently recovering from a hamstring injury - in center field when he returns, manager Terry Francona told Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com.

"I talked to Kipnis today," Francona said. "And because he's a week or so out (from being activated), and feeling pretty good physically, the fact that he was an outfielder in college, he's going to go work with Millsie (outfield coach Brad Mills.

"If he gets to the point where he's comfortable enough to do it, we might play him out there a little bit just to see how he does."

Kipnis has never played anywhere other than second base in his seven-year career, while 2017 All-Star Jose Ramirez has been manning the position in his absence.

"If (Kipnis is) able to handle it, all of a sudden you go from moving somebody out of the infield - because we've got a really good thing going there (with Ramirez) - to adding his bat in the lineup in center field," Francona added.

Kipnis played outfield in both high school and college, where he earned Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year honors with Arizona State.

"I think I probably joked about it. I think I joked to Brant (Michael Brantley) and Chiz (Lonnie Chisenhall), that I was the best center fielder we still have while I've been playing second," Kipnis said on Monday, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.

"I told them I could do it in my sleep. Now, I have to wake up and see if I can actually do it. So, we'll find out. It'll be fun."

Austin Jackson, Greg Allen, and Abraham Almonte will join Kipnis as other candidates to earn an expanded role in center field.