Hafner’s second opinion is same

DENVER (AP) — Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner was advised by a doctor to continue treating his ailing right shoulder with strengthening exercise.

Hafner received a second opinion on his shoulder from renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday.

“Dr. Andrews was very straight forward,” Indians head trainer Lonnie Soloff said Thursday before Cleveland played the Colorado Rockies. “He didn’t think surgery would help his condition. He is doing isometric exercises, stability exercises, lifting weights.”

The Indians also said RHP Fausto Carmona (left hip strain) experienced soreness after throwing a three-inning simulated game Monday. He had an MRI Tuesday, which revealed there was inflammation in his hip, but it had gone down since late May. The Indians said Carmona will be shut down for three to five days and be re-evaluated after that.

Hafner has been on the disabled list since May 30 with a sore shoulder. He got a second opinion Wednesday from Andrews, who agreed with the Indians’ Dr. Mark Schickendantz that Hafner needs continued strengthening of the rotator cuff and shoulder girdle.

“In the absence of irritating that shoulder on a daily basis with game activities, our hope is that it will continue to get stronger,” Soloff said.

Hafner will be re-evaluated in a week to 10 days. He is hitting .217 with four home runs this season, but has been bothered by the shoulder since spring training.

The 31-year-old Hafner is Cleveland’s career leader at DH with 134 home runs and 464 RBIs.