CLEVELAND (AP) — A tiny crack in Roberto Pérez’s finger has turned into a large problem for the Indians. Cleveland’s two-time Gold Glove catcher will miss at least two months after having surgery on a fractured right ring finger. There is no definitive timeline for Pérez’s recovery, but the Indians are planning to be without him for a significant period. His loss is a big blow to the Indians, who entered last night’s series opener against Cincinnati leading the AL Central after winning nine of 11. The 32-year-old is one of baseball’s best defensive catchers and handles the Indians’ strong pitching staff. Austin Hedges will get the bulk of starts while Pérez is sidelined.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Reds first baseman Joey Votto could be sidelined for a month with a broken left thumb. Votto was added to the 10-day injured list yesterday after being struck on the thumb with a pitch by Chicago’s Dallas Keuchel (KY’-kul) on Wednesday. Votto isn’t expected to need surgery, but the team expects him to be out at least three weeks. The 37-year-old is batting .226 with five homers and 17 RBIs. He batted .286 and hit his 300th career home run on Reds’ recently completed homestand.

DETROIT (AP) — Byron Buxton’s breakout season has been put on pause — a disappointing turn for the Minnesota Twins’ often-injured center fielder. Buxton was added to the 10-day injured list yesterday with a strained right hip. The 27-year-old is hitting .370 with nine homers and five stolen bases and, according to FanGraphs, led the majors with 2.4 wins above replacement before yesterday’s games — a hair ahead of Angels star Mike Trout. Buxton has played more than 100 games just once in his big league career.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland is in a three-way tie for the lead after two rounds of the Wells Fargo Championship. Not too far behind are Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson. And still playing is Bryson DeChambeau. He appeared headed for the exit early, but his 74 for a 2-over par total turned out to be good enough to make the cut. Tough conditions got even worse as the wind picked up at Quail Hollow. Low scores were hard to find. DeChambeau McIlroy shot 66 and was two back. Mickelson shot 75 and was three behind.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Defending champion Steve Stricker birdied the final hole for a 3-under 69 to move into a four-way tie for the lead halfway through the Regions Tradition. Stricker joined Jerry Kelly, Monday qualifier Alex Cejka (CHAY’-kah) and first-round leader Darren Clarke atop the leaderboard at 7 under in the first of the PGA Tour Champions’ five majors. Cejka has shot 68 and 69 after making the field as the first alternate when Jay Haas withdrew.

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