Matt LaPorta (hip) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.

He'll be the designated hitter. LaPorta hasn't started since Sunday due to left hip soreness.

Matt LaPorta returned to action on Tuesday August 31.

Matt LaPorta is out of the lineup Monday due to left hip soreness.

His absence is concerning, but the good news is that there is nothing structurally wrong with the hip and no MRI is scheduled. He is considered day-to-day right now. Andy Marte will start in his place Monday.

Matt LaPorta had a go-ahead two-run homer in the win over the A's Thursday.

It was the first baseman's only hit in four trips to the plate, but he made it count. LaPorta has been in a tremendous slump lately, so hopefully the longball will get him going. He's hitting .235 with eight homers and 31 RBI on the season.

Matt LaPorta was not in Sunday's lineup due to his recent struggles.

The first baseman is hitting a measly .086 since August 10. "It's about the ups and downs," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "It's part of it. We are just going to have to sit and watch and see how he handles it and how he adjusts. He's got almost a month and a half to go where he's going to be out there and have an opportunity to show." Overall, LaPorta is batting .238 with seven homers in 282 at-bats this season.

Matt LaPorta went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer against the Twins on Sunday.

LaPorta singled twice in addition to his homer, but scored just the once. LaPorta also hit a walk-off homer against the Twins on Friday night and is now batting .297 to go with six homers in 36 games since returning from the minor leagues. LaPorta will need to show more than 25-homer power to be an above average first basemen, but his minor league track record says he can and the solid showing over the last two months is a positive for his 2011 projections.

Matt LaPorta hit a walkoff homer off Matt Guerrier to beat the Twins, 7-6, on Friday night.

It's great timing for LaPorta, who hadn't hit a home run since July 5. The former top prospect in the Brewers organization has shown an inability to hit for power at the major league level, but he's still only 25. There's still plenty of upside here.

Matt LaPorta is back in the Indians' lineup for Friday's game against the Rays.

LaPorta missed three games with a head contusion.

Matt LaPorta (head) is out of the Indians' lineup again on Thursday.

LaPorta has missed three straight games since taking an Elvis Andrus elbow to the head on Monday night. He should be available by this weekend.

Matt LaPorta (head) is not in the Indians' lineup Wednesday.

The young first baseman suffered a head contusion when Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus ran into him on Monday. He's showing no signs of a concussion, though, and should be fine to return to the lineup later this week.

Matt LaPorta (head) is showing no signs of a concussion, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

LaPorta is out of the lineup against the Rangers on Monday and is currently listed as day-to-day. It looks like he'll avoid the disabled list for now, but the Indians will see how he progresses Wednesday.

Matt LaPorta (head) is out of the starting lineup against the Rangers on Tuesday night.

LaPorta suffered a head contusion in a collision with Rangers' shortstop Elvis Andrus on Monday night. He is considered "day-to-day" for now, though that is obviously subject to change.

The Indians will test Matt LaPorta (head) before Tuesday's game and see how he responds to a heightened heart rate.

LaPorta will probably do some light jogging or maybe a few sprints. He was nailed in the head by the speedy Elvis Andrus on Monday as the Texas shortstop was barreling down the first base line. The Indians medical team later diagnosed LaPorta with a head contusion and he is being called "day-to-day." If the workout does not go well, he may land on the DL.

Matt LaPorta (head) underwent a CT scan Monday that came back negative.

LaPorta was lifted from Monday's game against the Rangers after colliding with Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus in the third inning. Later diagnosed with a head contusion, the Indians first baseman is considered "day-to-day."

Matt LaPorta was diagnosed with a head contusion following a collision with Elvis Andrus on Monday.

In other words, he has a bruise on his head. It shouldn't keep him out of the lineup for long.

Matt LaPorta exited Monday's game against the Rangers after colliding with shortstop Elvis Andrus.

Andrus appeared to hit LaPorta in the shoulder with his elbow while running out an infield single in the bottom of the third inning. LaPorta was looked over by the training staff, but remained in the game until an inning later. He was replaced in the lineup by Andy Marte. LaPorta clubbed a two-run home run in the third inning before exiting the game. He now has four homers in 37 at-bats since returning from the minors last month.

Matt LaPorta homered in a third straight game Thursday versus the Jays.

This after he hit just one homer in 119 at-bats over the first two months of the season. LaPorta is going to get a chance to be the Indians' everyday first baseman, and he could be good for another dozen homers the rest of the way.

Indians recalled 1B Matt LaPorta from Triple-A Columbus.

He should be the everyday first baseman now that Russell Branyan has been traded to the Mariners. The 25-year-old tattooed International League pitching to the tune of a 1.094 OPS and five homers since his demotion on June 7, but until he can prove that he can actually hit major league pitching, we'd steer clear in mixed leagues.

The Indians are expected to recall Matt LaPorta from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and start him at first base for the rest of the season.

What do they have to lose? Russell Branyan was traded back to the Mariners late Saturday night and LaPorta has posted a stellar 1.061 OPS with 16 RBI in 17 games since his June 7 demotion. If he gets off to a hot start with the Tribe, deep mixed leaguers might want to take a look.

Indians optioned OF Matt LaPorta to Triple-A Columbus.

LaPorta has been a major disappointment this season for the Tribe and a big part of their horrible start. He will leave behind a .218/.290/.277 batting line, only one home run and seven RBI, thrown together in 117 at-bats. Austin Kearns will continue to see regular playing time in left field.