Indians catcher Yan Gomes expected to be out six weeks with knee injury

Yan Gomes could be out of the Cleveland Indians’ lineup for two months, a major blow to a team expected to contend this season.

Gomes, one of the Indians’ best players, sustained a “moderate” sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee on a play at the plate Saturday. The team expects him to be out at least six weeks. An MRI exam at the Cleveland Clinic on Sunday revealed the sprain.

Gomes’ leg was jolted violently by Detroit outfielder Rajai Davis, who slid hard on a force play and clipped the catcher’s right leg. Gomes was extended at the time like a first baseman making a catch.

Before Sunday’s game Gomes was placed on the 15-day disabled list and he hobbled onto the field on crutches to receive his Silver Slugger Award from last season.

Gomes is the club’s top right-handed power hitter and a solid defensive player. Last season, he led AL catchers in average (.278) and extra-base hits (49). He was second in runs batted in (74) and home runs (21) and handled one of baseball’s youngest starting staffs.

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Colorado Rockies reliever John Axford was placed on the family medical emergency list to tend to his young son, who was bitten by a rattlesnake last month in Arizona. ... Oakland Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (strained right oblique) was activated from the disabled list to make his season debut Sunday against the Seattle Mariners. ... Miami Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna was benched Sunday as punishment for being late to batting practice, and he apologized.