Donald will skip trip to KC, Minneapolis

CLEVELAND: Jason Donald's right index finger remains in a splint, and he will not be accompanying the Indians on their six-day trip to Kansas City and Minnesota that starts on Friday.

The injury occurred Saturday night against the Twins, when Donald tried to bunt and was struck in the finger by a pitch. The next day doctors said he would be out of action for at least a week with a bruised tendon. Given that he missed the rest of the homestand and will miss the six-game trip, Donald won't return for at least 11 days.

But manager Manny Acta thinks that Dondalds will be able to play before the end of the season on Oct. 3.

""He's going to stay behind,'' Acta said this afternoon. ""There's no reason for him to go on the trip. He's not going to play, and he can continue his rehab here. But our hope is that he will still play at some point. I don't see why not. Seven to 10 days (from the time of the injury) is what the doctors diagnosed.''

According to Donald, the doctors are not finished with him.

""Dr. (Tom) Graham is coming over to look at it tonight,'' Donald said. "After that, we'll have a better idea.''