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Cleveland Indians re-sign OF Melky Cabrera to minor league contract

Cleveland Indians' Lonnie Chisenhall, right, and Melky Cabrera celebrate after they both scored on a double by Yan Gomes during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Monday, June 11, 2018, in Chicago. (Charles Rex Arbogast / AP)
By Tom Withers Associated Press

CLEVELAND – Melky Cabrera has re-signed with the Cleveland Indians, who need outfield depth and protection while Lonnie Chisenhall and Bradley Zimmer are injured.

Cabrera signed a minor league deal Thursday and was assigned to Triple-A Columbus. He was with the club earlier this season before being designated for assignment last month.

Chisenhall was placed on the disabled list this week with a nagging calf injury, and there’s no timetable for his return. Zimmer has been sidelined at Columbus with a shoulder injury.

The 33-year-old Cabrera signed a minor league contract with the Indians in April. He batted .207 with five doubles and 11 RBIs in 17 games for Cleveland.

Cabrera has a .285 career batting average during 14 major league seasons.

The Indians, who lead the AL Central by 11 1/2 games over Detroit, open a 10-game homestand before the All-Star break on Friday against Oakland.