CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians, in the wake of center fielder Bradley Zimmer's broken left hand, will test All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis in center field. The Indians drafted Kipnis out of Arizona State as an outfielder in 2009, but quickly shifted him to second base.

"We're always trying to turn something that could be a negative into a positive," said Francona. "So I talked to Kipnis today. And because he's a week or so out (from being activated), and feeling pretty good physically, the fact that he was an outfielder in college, he's going to go work with Millsie (Brad Mills, outfield coach).

"And if he gets to the point where he's comfortable enough to do it, we might play him out there a little bit just to see how he does. If he's able to handle it, all of a sudden you go from moving somebody out of the infield (to put Kipnis back at second base) -- because we've got a really good thing going there -- to adding his bat in the lineup in center field.

"So, again, it's not a lock. But the fact that he was willing to try it, is really meaningful to us. And we appreciate it. And my guess is that he's probably pretty good. He's so athletic in going to get balls in the air, I think he's going to have some fun doing it. So, he seemed excited."

Kipnis moved from the outfield to second base in 2010. He said the last time he played center field was in 2009 at Class A Mahoning Valley.

It will be interesting to see how Kipnis handles the workload. He opened the season with a strained rotator cuff in his right (throwing) shoulder. He's currently on the disabled list for the second time since just before the All-Star break with a strained right hamstring.

When asked about returning to center, Kipnis told reporters, "The main thing is just to get back and get healthy. I can't do anything, or I can't help anyone, if I don't do that first.

"But once we get back, I mean, the competitor in me just likes to be on the field. If it means I have to be in center, I'll be in center.

I just want to play. I thought about it for a second after Zimmer went down. And then Tito said he wanted to talk today, and I wasn't sure, and then it kind of hit me right before the meeting. I was like, 'He might actually ask me about this.' And it happened."

Zimmer suffered a broken bone in his left hand sliding into first base in the seventh inning Sunday night against the Orioles at Progressive Field. Rookie Greg Allen started in center field Monday night against Detroit. Francona said veteran Austin Jackson will start in center Tuesday.

Other options include Abraham Almonte and Tyler Naquin.

There has been a report that Zimmer's injury will sideline him for the season.

"The only thing we really have today is that he is being seen today by Dr. Graham in New York," said Francona. "So after he is examined, the medical staff will put something out. Whether that's later today or tomorrow, I'm not sure yet.

"But we'll have a lot more information as soon as Dr. Graham gets back to us."

Asked if Zimmer was finished for the season, Francona said, "I don't think we're going to rule anything out until we see what Dr. Graham says."