RF Shin-Soo Choo likely will miss 6-8 weeks because of a right-thumb injury.
Updated at 12:01 p.m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo will be sidelined for a while, likely 6-8 weeks, because of a right-thumb sprain.
Choo declined comment today at 10:25 a.m.
"I'll talk later,'' he said.
When several teammates asked how long he would be sidelined, Choo told them 6-8 weeks.
Choo injured the thumb late in a game Friday night.
The Indians placed Choo on the 15-day disabled list today and recalled outfielder Michael Brantley from Class AAA Columbus. Brantley is starting in center field and batting leadoff today against the Athletics.
"We don't know exactly how long Choo will be out,'' Tribe manager Manny Acta said. "It's obviously serious, more serious than we thought. He will be looked at again Tuesday and evaluated. Surgery is a possibility.''
Acta said he did not think the surgery would be season-ending.
Choo is expected to meet with renowned hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham next week.
Indians head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff was not available for comment this morning.
In the eighth inning of a 3-0 loss to Oakland on Friday, Choo dived for a ball hit by Jack Cust. As Choo failed to secure it, his glove hand appeared to bend awkwardly. By the ninth inning, he was out of the game.
Choo is hitting .286 with 14 doubles, two triples and 13 homers in 78 games. He leads the club in homers, RBI (43) and runs (48).
Choo is expected to be named today as the Indians' lone All-Star.
Choo had an MRI scan late Saturday afternoon or early evening. Class AAA Columbus outfielder Michael Brantley was told in the early innings of a game in Toledo that he was headed to Cleveland.
The Indians confirmed late Saturday night that Choo would be going on the disabled list and Brantley would be recalled. The moves were made official today.
Brantley, beginning his second stint with the Tribe, is starting in center field and batting leadoff this afternoon against the Athletics.
Brantley broke camp with the Tribe. He hit .156 in nine games before being sent to Columbus. He is hitting .315 in 59 games for the Clippers.
"I'm excited to keep playing,'' he said. "I've worked very hard on all aspects of my game.''
Brantley was acquired from Milwaukee in 2008 as the player to be named in the CC Sabathia trade. He made his major-league debut with the Indians in 2009, playing well in September.
Choo is the only Indian with double-digit home runs; Travis Hafner ranks second with eight.
Choo ranks among American League leaders in on-base percentage (.390), walks and steals (12).
Choo has hit safely in 11 of his last 15 games (.304, 4 HR, 11 RBI).
Four Indians are on the disabled list, including three who are supposed to be part of their young core: Choo, center fielder Grady Sizemore and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Sizemore (left knee) will miss the remainder of the season. Cabrera (left forearm) could return in late July/early August.