KANSAS CITY, MO. — Caution will guide the Indians' course of action concerning Anthony Reyes' right elbow.

Reyes was forced to leave the game Friday night against the Kansas City Royals after the third inning with soreness in the elbow, and manager Eric Wedge is leaning toward keeping Reyes off the mound for at least a little while.

''There's a pretty good chance that we'll skip his next start,'' Wedge said Saturday. ''He didn't feel anything extraordinary today, and we'll see how he feels in the next two or three days.''

Reyes said he never was able to get loose Friday night. Wedge concurred, saying there was no reason to ''push Reyes,'' even though he might have been able to pitch for another two or three innings.

Before Reyes was traded to the Tribe in July, he spent more than two weeks on the St. Louis Cardinals' disabled list with elbow soreness. When he arrived in Cleveland, Reyes said he was examined by the team's medical staff, which is why he has not been looked at by a doctor after his early exit Friday night.

What if?

If Reyes cannot make his next start against the Orioles in Baltimore on Wednesday night, a former Ohio State left-hander is likely to make his major-league debut.

''Probably Scott Lewis is the guy we'd be looking at if needed,'' Wedge said. ''But we're still looking at everything.''

Lewis is a logical candidate for at least a couple of reasons: He is one of the starters for the Aeros in the Eastern League playoffs, and his regular turn comes up Wednesday. He also has had a promising season, compiling a 6-2 record and 2.33 ERA in 13 starts.

David Huff, the highly regarded Buffalo lefty, is not an option because of the number of innings he has thrown (1461/3).

Doubleheader looms

In addition to finding a starter if Reyes is forced to miss his turn, the Tribe has a makeup doubleheader scheduled for Saturday against the Royals at Progressive Field.

''We're still working on that, too,'' Wedge said. ''I have a couple of ideas.''

Wedge could put together a bullpen brigade of three or four pitchers to handle one of the games, but that is not an appealing option.

''That is not something I'm crazy about,'' he said.

Decision time

Travis Hafner's 20-day rehabilitation assignment ended Saturday night with his appearance as the Aeros' designated hitter.

That means he must be activated and returned to the Indians' roster or remain on the disabled list and find some artificial way to get at-bats.

''If we don't activate him, we'll have to simulate games to keep him going,'' Wedge said. ''We'll touch base with him today and see how he feels.''

Hafner (weak right shoulder) has progressed to the point where he feels strong for at least three at-bats a game.

''That fourth . . . [at-bat] is very important,'' Wedge said. ''We want him to be able to do that.''

Rooted to the bench

Apparently, Wedge has no current plans to give Josh Barfield a start at second base.

''I'm not sure,'' he said. ''But I'm sure Josh and Michael Aubrey will get in there some time.''

Farm facts

Chris Archer gave up nine runs (eight earned) in 12/3 innings, as West Virginia routed Lake County 10-0 in Class A to even the South Atlantic League playoff series at one game apiece.