CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have placed Michael Brantley on the 10-day disabled list and recalled utility man Erik Gonzlaez from Class AAA Columbus.
Brantley, the Indians' left fielder, sprained his right ankle in the fifth inning Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies and was forced to leave the game at Progressive Field. Brantley has already been on the disabled list once with an injury to the same ankle.
"Michael was imaged (MRI) on Tuesday night," said manager Terry Francona on Wednesday morning. "It's the same ankle he sprained earlier in the year. It's in a little different area.
"It's considered mild, but it's such a small area and you have to go more on the symptoms than maybe the diagnosis.''
The Indians were expected to finish their two-game series against the Rockies on Wednesday afternoon playing a man short. They will leave on a four-city, 11-game trip after the game.
Francona said the trainers ruled out a major injury, such as a torn Achilles tendon.
"I think that what Mike was really worried about," said Francona. "He was really concerned about that.
"I was relieved when he pointed to where it was hurting. I'm not a doctor, but I know a little bit. It (the injury) was on the side of the ankle. When someone is sitting out there, you're never really relieved. But I knew it wasn't an Achilles (injury)."
This has been a comeback season for Brantley, who played just 11 games last season because of a right shoulder injury. He was one of five Indians to go to the All-Star Game this year and is currently hitting .299 (100-for-335) with nine homers and 52 RBI.
The Indians optioned Gonzalez to Columbus on Sunday when Jason Kipnis was activated. MLB rules allow for Gonzalez's early return -- an optioned player must stay in the minor for 10 days -- because of Brantley's injury.