The Indians have activated Lonnie Chisenhall from the disabled list; he is in the starting lineup for tonight's game at Progressive Field against the Seattle Mariners. He'll be starting in right field, batting seventh in the lineup. Chisenhall has been on the DL due to an injury to his left wrist. Collin Cowgill has been optioned to Triple-A Columbus in order to make room for Chisenhall on the 25-man roster, which is not a surprise, given his struggles during the last two weeks.
Chisenhall has been a roughly league-average hitter over the course of his career, but with dramatic swings between very good stretches at the plate, and very bad ones. Last season he batted just .246/.294/.372 last season, with just 7 home runs in 362 plate appearances.
Chisenhall began 2015 as the team's starting third baseman, but upon being demoted in early June, he transitioned to right field with Columbus. He was called back up near the end of July. He hit 282/.349/.396 in his final 52 games, and of even greater interest, his defense in right field rated as among the very best in all of baseball.
If he can maintain his offense and defense from last August and September, he'll be a very good player for the Tribe this season. If that defense proves to have been a small-sample mirage and his offense reverts to what it was during last April and May, the Indians will have to find a different right fielder.