Walters was recalled from Triple-A on Friday.

Mike Aviles will be away from the team dealing with a personal matter for 3-to-7 days, so the Indians called upon the other quality utility man in the organization. Walters may see a start or two in the short term, but he will likely be sent back down once Aviles rejoins the team.

Walters (oblique) was activated from the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, FOX Sports Ohio's Joe Reedy reports.

Walters began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, but the Indians have apparently decided that they don't need him on the big-league roster. He'll likely be the first option if the team eventually wants to add another infielder, and it may not be long before that happens, as Mike Aviles is currently the top backup at second base, third base and shortstop.

Walters (oblique) will start his rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Walters figures to rejoin the Indians in a utility role after a couple of games in his rehab stint and could earn some additional playing time if he's able to help spark a struggling Indians offense.

Walters (oblique) is expected to start a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus this week, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Walters has progressed slower than initially anticipated, but he should be able to rejoin the big league club after only a brief rehab stint. If the current timetable holds, the 25-year-old could make his return before the start of May.

Walters (oblique) could be cleared to start a rehab assignment in the next couple of days, MLB.com reports.

Walters' recovery has been a bit slower than expected but he could be back in about a 7-10 days if things progress well.

Walters (oblique) remains in extended spring training and hasn't yet started a rehab assignment, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Walters is progressing slowly based on the original injury diagnosis from mid-March but at least he hasn't suffered any setbacks thus far.

Walters (oblique) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, Joe Reedy of FOX Sports Ohio reports.

While Walters won't be ready for Opening Day, the Indians expect him to be available at some point in April. He's now more than three weeks into a timetable of three-to-four weeks, but he still hasn't played in a spring training game since March 12. Walters will likely stay behind at extended spring training, and he may then head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Once he's with the Indians, Walters should get a couple of start per week in a utility role.

Walters (oblique) will open the season on the disabled list.

Walters is still recovering from the oblique injury he suffered Mar. 12 and will not be ready for the beginning of the season. He was expected to be out just 3-to-4 weeks, however, so he should be ready to go sometime in April.

Walters will be out for 3-to-4 weeks with an oblique strain, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Walters underwent further tests that revealed a high-grade oblique strain, which will sideline him for the first week or two of the regular season. The 25-year-old can provide some power as a utility infielder option, but the setback could effect that ability at the beginning of the season.

Walters (oblique) will undergo further tests to determine the extent of his oblique injury but could miss a considerable amount of time, MLB.com reports. "He's pretty sore," manager Terry Francona. "We're going to have to get him checked and see where that goes."

The Indians were hopeful that the injury wasn't related to the right oblique injury that plagued Walters at the end of last year but a further examination Friday indicated the two may be related. Walters was an intriguing power source in AL formats as a utility infielder for the Tribe but those plans may be put on hold pending the injury diagnosis.

Walters left Thursday's Cactus League game with a right abdominal strain, Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 reports.

Walters played through a torn intercostal muscle in September, but there's no indication that Thursday's injury is related. A strong spring would do him well, as it's still not entirely clear how the Indians will get him at-bats.

Walters will get work at first base, shortstop, and in the outfield in spring training, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Walters played all over the field last season in just 62 games, but didn't see any time at first or short in 2014. The Indians have a crowded depth chart so it's no guarantee Walters will see consistent playing time, but the team is likely looking for a way to get the 25-year-old as many at bats as possible.

Walters said he played through a torn intercostal muscle for three weeks in August and September of last season.

While the injury likely contributed to Walters' ugly finish, a lack of plate discipline was probably still the bigger issue. His power is intriguing, but he got most of his playing time as a designed hitter last season, and there's no clear path to consistent at-bats to open the 2015 campaign.

Walters (ribs) is in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

Walters has not started a game since Sept. 15 and has just one at-bat in that timespan, but he will get the start at second base on the season's final day and will hit seventh in the Indians' batting order.

Walters (ribs) remains out of the lineup Friday against the Rays.

A rib injury has kept Walters out of the lineup for well over a week now, but he was able to pinch hit in Tuesday's loss to Kansas City. However, it's uncertain whether Walters will be well enough to play the field in the team's final two games of the season.

Walters (ribs) remains out of the lineup Wednesday against the Royals.

Walters came into Tuesday's game in the eighth inning to pinch hit, marking his first appearance as a batter since Sept. 15. He'll be afforded another day of rest with the team off Thursday, but it's uncertain whether Walters will be available for anything more than bench duty this weekend.

Walters (ribs) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Royals.

Walters will miss his eighth straight game Tuesday. He has not been ruled out for the season, but the Indians have not provided a target return date either.

Walters (ribs) remains out of the lineup Monday.

He has now been out of the lineup for seven straight games, and is running out of time to make any further impact on the 2014 season.

Walters (ribs) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Walters to continues to sit due to sore ribs that have been bothered him for roughly a week. It is uncertain how much he will be able to play over the season's final week.

Walters (ribs) remains out of the lineup Saturday against the Twins, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

An MRI cleared Walters of any structural damage to his rib cage earlier in the week, but he remains without a set timetable for a return to the lineup. Walters stretched on the field Wednesday and was used as a pinch runner Thursday, suggesting he'll be available at least in a limited capacity over the final week of the season.