Johnny Damon left Wednesday's game due to "general cramping."

Well, OK then. We can't imagine it's more than a day-to-day thing, so hopefully Damon will be back out there Thursday night. He was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in his Indians debut before exiting.

Indians manager Manny Acta said Tuesday that Johnny Damon will bat leadoff on the days he plays.

Damon carries a decent .353 career on-base percentage and the Indians have struggled for production out of the leadoff role, so the strategy does make some sense. Damon is expected to make his Tribe debut Wednesday.

The Indians have confrimed that Johnny Damon will meet up with the team Tuesday in Chicago.

Damon signed a minor league contract with the Tribe earlier this month that will pay him a prorated $1.25 million salary while he's in the major leagues and carries another $1.4 million in performance-based incentives. The 38-year-old is expected to serve as a part-time left fielder and designated hitter. He batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers and 19 steals last season for the Rays but can be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues.

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer predicts that Johnny Damon will join the Indians on Tuesday.

On that day, the Tribe begins a three-game series against the White Sox. Damon will be worth using in AL-only and deeper mixed leagues. The 38-year-old will function as a part-time left fielder and DH this year.

Johnny Damon went 1-for-4 with a walk and a double while playing left field Thursday in an extended spring training game.

Damon has been playing in extended spring training games for nearly a week and should soon head to one of the Indians' minor league affiliates. He remains on track to join the big club in the early part of May and should be worth owning in AL-only and deeper mixed leagues.

Johnny Damon had four plate appearances Monday while playing left field in extended spring training.

Damon began playing in extended spring training games last Friday and should head to the Indians' Triple-A affiliate soon. He'll be worth using in AL-only and deeper mixed leagues once he makes his way to the majors in early May.

Johnny Damon hit a home run in one of his two plate appearances Saturday in extended spring training.

Damon played in his first game Friday, making three plate appearances. Indians manager Manny Acta said there's no timetable for when the veteran will join the big club. "What schedule?" said Acta. "I don't know. He's getting in shape, he's getting at-bats. There's no such thing as a set schedule. When Johnny is ready ... when he's gotten enough at-bats and played enough outfield there and in Triple-A, he'll join us. It's as simple as that." It seems likely that we'll see Damon added to the roster in early May.

Johnny Damon told reporters Tuesday that he believes he can be ready to play in a week.

Damon signed a minor league contract with the Tribe this week that carries a $1.25 million salary for the time that he's in the major leagues. He's been working out all spring but needs several days to get in game shape. The 38-year-old will function as a part-time left fielder and DH this year.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti confirmed Tuesday that Johnny Damon will get the bulk of his at-bats in left field or at DH.

Travis Hafner is already in place as the club's primary DH, so Damon will almost certainly be forced to see most of his playing time in left field. It could lead to some epically bad defense, but Damon should still be productive enough offensively to own in most mixed leagues. The early word is that he'll need about two weeks to get into shape before joining the Indians' roster.

Indians signed OF/DH Johnny Damon to a minor league contract.

It's finally official. Assuming Damon is ready to join the Indians in early-May, he'll make a salary of $1.25 million and could earn an additional $1.4 million in performance-based incentives. The deal also includes a verbal opt-out agreement if he isn't getting enough at-bats. Of course, that shouldn't be much of an issue as long as Grady Sizemore (back) remains on the disabled list. Damon will be a liability defensively in left field, but he's a borderline play in most mixed fantasy leagues.

Indians signed OF Johnny Damon to a one-year, $1.25 million contract.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer has confirmed the deal, which includes another possible $1.4 million in incentives. It also reportedly includes some no-trade provisions, and an out-clause based on "if and when Grady Sizemore comes off the disabled list." Once Damon gets his bat up to speed in extended spring training or the minors, he's expected to platoon with Shelley Duncan in left field. It's unlikely he'll need more than a week to get ready.

Johnny Damon's one-year deal with the Indians is expected to include a verbal opt-out agreement.

According to MLB.com's Peter Gammons, the deal does not include a "set opt-out," but instead a "verbal agreement" between Damon and Indians GM Chris Antonetti that if "(Damon) isn't getting ABs, it will be worked out." The deal should finally become official on Friday, while Damon could make his Tribe debut late next week.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Indians and Johnny Damon have agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million contract.

Nothing official from the Indians yet, but Heyman reports that the deal includes $1.4 million in performances bonuses. Damon is expected to take over the starting left field job, even though he'll be a pretty big liability defensively. The 38-year-old .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs, 73 RBI and 19 stolen bases last season for the Rays. He's worth considering in 12-team mixed leagues.

According to WTAM 1100's Nick Camino, a physical is the only thing standing between the Indians and a contract agreement with veteran free agent Johnny Damon.

A deal should be announced by Friday morning. Damon is a very poor defender but is likely to get regular playing time in left field for Cleveland nonetheless. The 38-year-old batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs, 73 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 150 games last season for the Rays.

ESPN's Jim Bowden reports that there is no agreement between the Indians and free agent Johnny Damon.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal wrote Wednesday night that the Indians were "to sign" Damon, and it's still possible that they will, but talks are ongoing. "The Indians and Johnny Damon are in the early stages of conversations on a possible deal," a source told Bowden, "so the reports are premature and surprising." Damon, 38, batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers, 73 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 150 games last year for the Rays.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Indians are set to sign free agent Johnny Damon.

Damon struggled all winter to attract interest on the open market despite posting a decent .261/.326/.418 batting line with 16 home runs, 73 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 150 games last year for the Rays. He's a really poor defensive outfielder, but the 38-year-old probably represents an offensive upgrade over Shelley Duncan, who is currently drawing starts in left.

Johnny Damon's agent, Scott Boras, told ESPN's Buster Olney that his client will sign somewhere by May 1.

Boras also indicated that he "didn't know where yet," so it's not clear if he has any legitimate leads. Damon's market evaporated this winter after he batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs, 73 RBI, 19 stolen bases and a .743 OPS last year for the Rays. Boras said his client is hoping to find a situation where he can get 450 plate appearances. The 38-year-old is currently 277 hits away from the 3,000 hit plateau.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette downplayed the club's interest in free agent Johnny Damon on Thursday.

"I don't think so," Duquette responded when asked if the the Orioles were going to sign Damon. "I already signed Johnny Damon when he was 28." Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported Wednesday that the Orioles "haven't ruled out" signing Damon, but it doesn't sound like he's in the team's plans. The 38-year-old is still in search of a home after batting .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs, 73 RBI, 19 stolen bases and a .743 OPS last year for the Rays. He is currently 277 hits away from the 3,000 hit plateau.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Orioles haven't ruled out signing Johnny Damon.

Damon is still in search of a home after the Yankees opted to sign Raul Ibanez to fill their vacancy at designated hitter. While the Orioles remain a possibility, Heyman notes that a deal is not imminent. The 38-year-old batted .261/.326/.418 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI last year for the Rays and is currently 277 hits away from 3,000 for his career.

Free agent Johnny Damon said he's no longer considering signing with the Yankees after being told by general manager Brian Cashman that he's not their first choice to fill the designated hitter role.

"We both are looking at other options now,'' Damon stated. Said Cashman, "He called and I told him the truth. He's not the No. 1 option if and when I turn to DH options.'' It's been obvious for a while now that Raul Ibanez is at the top of the Yanks' list, and he seems like a virtual certainty to sign on once the A.J. Burnett deal becomes official. It's not clear who Damon is now considering catching on with.