Indians Put Grissom on Disabled List

The Cleveland Indians placed center fielder Marquis Grissom on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday because of a strained right hamstring.

Grissom, acquired in the spring training trade that sent Kenny Lofton to the Atlanta Braves, injured the hamstring in his first game with the Indians March 27 against the Kansas City Royals. It kept getting worse, and the Indians decided to give it a chance to heal completely.

“It wasn’t going to get any better until we put him on the DL and got him healthy,” Cleveland Manager Mike Hargrove said.

Grissom was off to a slow start, batting .234 with six stolen bases in seven attempts. Known for playing a shallow center field, Grissom had moved deeper lately to take pressure off the hamstring.

The Indians called up infielder-outfielder Damian Jackson from triple-A Buffalo to take Grissom’s place on the roster. Grissom’s disabled list assignment is retroactive to April 20, and he is eligible to return May 5.

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Relief pitcher Steve Howe, cut by the New York Yankees last June, is planning a comeback this season with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the independent Northern League.

Howe, whose career was interrupted by seven drug-related suspensions, will report to the South Dakota club for spring training on May 16, owner Harry Stavrenos said.

The Northern League, which is not affiliated with the major leagues, is where Darryl Strawberry revived his career last season.