CLEVELAND (AP) - Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner will begin a hitting program next week in Arizona, his first swings since undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.
Hafner, the Sykeston, N.D., native was on the disabled list for 106 days last season with a weak shoulder. After rest failed to improve his strength, the 31-year-old had his shoulder cleaned out in October by famed orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. Hafner has not swung a bat since the final day of the 2008 season.
Hafner said his recovery is on schedule and he hopes to be ready to play in spring training games at the end of February.
A .282 career hitter, he batted just .197 and hit five homers with 24 RBIs in 57 games last season. The Indians struggled without Hafner, who drove in at least 100 runs in each of the previous four seasons. They finished 81-81 after advancing to Game 7 of the 2007 AL championship series.
