Indians Put Colon on Disabled List

The Cleveland Indians could be without No. 1 starter Bartolo Colon for three weeks after the right-hander was put on the disabled list Monday because of a slight tear in his rib cage.

Colon, who has not pitched well this season despite a 2-1 record, sustained the injury during a loss Saturday to the Texas Rangers. Colon lasted only 3 1/3 innings, but didn’t tell anyone he was hurt until Sunday.

The Indians put Colon on the 15-day DL but aren’t sure how long he might be sidelined. General Manager John Hart said it could be three weeks before Colon returns.

“It’s a tear,” Hart said. “It’s not a serious tear, but it’s one you have to take your time with to make sure it heals. It could be three weeks before he’s ready to pitch.”

Cleveland recalled reliever Sean DePaula from triple-A Buffalo to fill Colon’s roster spot. DePaula, who was 1-0 in three games for the Bisons, was a late-season call-up for the Indians last year and pitched so well he was added to the postseason roster.

Cleveland Manager Charlie Manuel said Bobby Witt, who unexpectedly made the Indian roster this spring, would likely take Colon’s spot in the rotation.

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Baseball owners, meeting in Houston, voted unanimously to approve the $96-million sale of the Kansas City Royals to team Chairman David Glass.

Glass took over as Royal chairman in September 1993 after the death of owner Ewing Kauffman.

While deferring a decision on realignment until they meet again in June, the owners focused on their main business, approving Glass, which took only 30 seconds.