Related stories

Sun shines on Indians in 4-0 win over Angels

Post-game video: Manny Acta, Derek Lowe, Vinnie Pestano

MLB scoring directive gives Torii Hunter an error on ball lost in sun: Indians chatter

Box score

Johnny Damon will join the Indians on Tuesday when they open a three-game series against Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field.

The team made the move official today. Damon will wear No. 33.

The Indians signed Damon to a minor-league deal worth $1.25 million on April 17. He's been playing games in extended spring training at the team's training site in Goodyear, Ariz., for the past two weeks.

When Damon was signed, the Indians said they expected him to go from extended spring training to Class AAA Columbus before coming to the big leagues. Those plans have changed.

Over the weekend, manager Manny Acta said the Indians were comfortable with what Damon was doing in Goodyear. Tuesday is May 1, the date of Damon's out clause in his contract. If he's not in the big leagues by then, he could ask for his release and become a free agent.

Damon, 38, did not go through spring training because he went unsigned after playing 150 games with Tampa Bay last year. He hit .261 (152-for-582) with 29 doubles, seven triples, 16 homers, 79 runs and 73 RBI.

The Indians' offense could use a jolt. They've scored 17 runs in their past seven games.

When Damon joins the Indians, he's expected to share playing time with Shelley Duncan in left field. Duncan, who drove in a run in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Angels, is hitting .230 (14-for-61) with one double, two homers, eight RBI. He's struck out 22 times and walked 13.

A roster spot will have to created to make room for Damon. The Indians said they won't announce the move until Tuesday.

Welcome back? Along with Damon, another outfielder might be joining the Indians in Chicago. Make that rejoining.

Shin-Soo Choo (left hamstring) says his goal is be back in the lineup Tuesday night. He has missed the last five games.

Sunday morning, Choo ran controlled sprints and did some agility drills. He played catch and took batting practice in the cages.

"It's getting better every day," said Choo. "I'm waiting for the day when it's 100 percent. My goal is play on Tuesday. I can still feel it a little when I run. But I'm fine hitting and throwing."

Choo said he's never had a hamstring problem.

"First time for hamstring and last year was first time for an oblique," said Choo. "I do everything the first time and then no more."

Slow start: Angels first baseman Albert Pujols, sitting on a new 10-year, $254 million contract, started Sunday hitting .357 (10-for-28) with one homer and 10 RBI against Tribe starter Derek Lowe.

Pujols went 0-for-3 against Lowe and 0-for-4 in the game. He is hitting .216 and has yet to hit a homer this year in 88 at-bats.

"Obviously, he's not swinging the same," said Lowe. "I don't care if you're a Hall of Fame player like he is, confidence is everything in this game. When you start losing it, and you start questioning yourself. . . ."

Lowe didn't finish that thought, but added: "I think the only difference I've noticed is that he's swinging at more pitches that he normally doesn't swing at. I've thrown him the same breaking balls I did today and he just watches them go by. I think that's the only thing I've seen in this series . . . he's a little more aggressive swinging at pitches he normally doesn't swing at."

Acta was glad Pujols left town without knocking down a portion of Progressive Field.

"I feel sorry for the people who are going to see him going forward," said Acta. "He's going to go off now. He's starting to get his timing. . . . I'm just glad he's out of here."

Surgery: Outfielder LeVon Washington will undergo surgery on his right hip Monday and miss two to four months. Washington was the No.2 pick in the 2010 draft.

Dr. Marc Philippon of the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo. will perform the surgery. Washington, out of Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, was hitting .440 (11-for-25) for Class A Lake County at the time of the injury.