DETROIT - Indians left-hander C.C. Sabathia is expected to be sidelined for at least a week after straining his biceps tendon.
"If all goes the way we hope, we're potentially looking at next weekend to get him back out there," manager Eric Wedge said Friday.
Sabathia felt soreness in the tendon Thursday while preparing to start against Kansas City and was removed from the lineup just before the game. An MRI exam showed nothing more than a strain, and he played catch without pain in the outfield before Friday's game.
If Sabathia experiences no ill effects from Friday's throwing session, he is expected to do some light tossing in the bullpen today or Sunday, then a more strenuous session early next week before he would be available to start.
The Indians juggled their pitching staff, sending left-hander Jeriome Robertson to Triple-A Buffalo and recalling right-hander Jason Anderson.
The Indians and Royals will make up Wednesday night's rainout in a July 24 day-night doubleheader in Cleveland.
PHILS LOSE PROTEST: The commissioner's office denied Philadelphia's protest of Wednesday's game against the Marlins. Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, rejected manager Larry Bowa's protest stemming from Florida's 8-7, 12-inning win.
Placido Polanco led off the ninth with a hit to leftfield. The ball got stuck under the padding on the wall, prompting outfielder Jeff Conine to throw up his hands. Polanco circled the bases, but the umpires called it a ground-rule double and sent Polanco to second.
Bowa protested, saying Conine should have had to play the ball because it was clearly visible.
ASTROS: Left-hander Andy Pettitte pitched a simulated game at the spring training facility in Kissimmee. Pettitte, on the DL with a strained elbow, is on track to start Friday against Pittsburgh.
BREWERS: Left-hander Chris Capuano went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Monday with a strained right thigh.
D'BACKS: Second baseman Roberto Alomar had surgery to repair the broken bone in his right hand and is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks.
METS: Third baseman Ty Wigginton has an ulcer and could be released from the hospital today.
RANGERS: Texas changed backup outfielders, sending Ramon Nivar to Triple-A Oklahoma and calling up Chad Allen.
RED SOX: The team hopes rightfielder Trot Nixon, who started the season on the DL, will be ready to face live pitching in seven to 10 days.
ROYALS: Right-hander Kevin Appier, who is trying to come back from elbow surgery, left in the second inning. There was no immediate word on what was wrong. ... A display honoring the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues was dedicated on the main concourse of Kauffman Stadium.
YANKEES: Right-hander Javier Vazquez will pitch on three days' rest against the Red Sox on Sunday.
