Michael Bourn is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Phillies.
The hot-hitting Michael Brantley is also getting the day off. Drew Stubbs is starting in center field while Ryan Raburn plays left.

Indians activated OF Michael Bourn from the 15-day disabled list.
The move was made official Thursday afternoon after left-hander Scott Barnes was sent down to Triple-A Columbus. Bourn has been sidelined since April 14 due to a laceration on his right index finger, but he's finally back to 100 percent. Be sure to activate the speedster in fantasy leagues.

Michael Bourn (hand) will be activated from the disabled list in time for Friday's game against the Tigers.
Bourn has been on the shelf since April 14 with a deep laceration on his right index finger. He's spent the past couple of days playing in rehab games at Triple-A Columbus and can safely be inserted back into fantasy lineups right away. The speedster was batting .333/.375/.600 with two homers, seven runs scored and one stolen base in 10 games before suffering the gash on a slide into first base.

Michael Bourn (hand) will play three games with Triple-A Columbus before being activated from the disabled list.
Assuming he doesn't have any setbacks, Bourn will rejoin the Indians on Thursday. He's been taking batting practice without any issues, so the injury appears to be behind him at this point. Bourn has been on the DL since April 15.

Michael Bourn (finger) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Monday.
Bourn had still been feeling some pain on his right index finger, but he's taken batting practice the last few days with no issues. He shouldn't need many rehab at-bats before being activated, so expect to see him back in the Indians' lineup later this week.

Michael Bourn (finger) has not been cleared to take live batting practice.
And there remains no timetable for his return to the Indians' active roster. Bourn was placed on the disabled list April 15 with a lacerated right finger and is still waiting for the gash to fully heal. He was eligible for activation on Tuesday.

Michael Bourn (finger) will play in a few rehab games before being activated from the disabled list.
Bourn is eligible for activation on Tuesday, but the Indians want him to test out his finger first. It's not clear when or where the rehab assignment will begin, but it should start shortly.

Michael Bourn (finger) is still hitting off a tee and playing catch and said Monday that the Indians have discussed a rehab assignment for him.
Bourn is eligible to be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, but it doesn't appear that he'll be ready just yet. Still, an activation sometime later this week can't be ruled out.

Michael Bourn (finger) feels some pain when he grips a bat or throws a ball.
The cut that sent Bourn to the disabled list is on the palm side of his right index finger, which obviously isn't an ideal location. He was able to play catch at 90 feet and swung a bat on Saturday. "He was only at 45 feet on Friday and he swung much harder today," said Indians head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff. "We're trying to slowly add stress to it and see how Michael responds." Bourn is eligible for activation on Tuesday, but it sounds like he might need a little more time.

Michael Bourn (finger) took dry swings Saturday.
Bourn had the stitches removed from his sliced right index finger on Thursday and is finally able to resume most baseball activities. He hasn't taken batting practice yet, but that should happen soon. The speedy center fielder is on track to return at some point in early May.

Michael Bourn has rejoined the Indians, and is unlikely to require a rehab assignment before he returns to game action.
Bourn, who had the stitches removed from his injured right index finger on Thursday, is eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday. Bourn was scheduled to take batting practice in the cages before Friday's game, but still isn't sure when he'll be ready to play. Look for him to be back in the Tribe's lineup for next weekend's games.

Michael Bourn will have the stitches removed from his injured right index finger on Thursday.
Bourn has been on the disabled list since slicing his finger open on April 15 when he slid head-first into first base. He seems likely to return when first eligible on April 30 or shortly after.

Indians placed OF Michael Bourn on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 15, with a lacerated right finger.
Bourn injured his finger sliding head-first into first base Sunday when White Sox left-hander Matt Thornton stepped on him. He required five stitches as a result. The good news is that Bourn should be ready as soon as he's eligible. Drew Stubbs figures to get most of the playing time in center field during Bourn's absence.

Michael Bourn (hand) will be placed on the 15-day DL.
The speedy center fielder hasn't played since Sunday, when White Sox reliever Matt Thornton stepped on his right hand while Bourn was sliding head-first into first base. Bourn feels fine overall but the stitches in his hand need time to do their thing. The Indians will hope that he is ready as soon as he's eligible.

Michael Bourn could miss 5-7 days after leaving Sunday's game with a right hand laceration.

Michael Bourn has been diagnosed with a right hand laceration.
Bourn left Sunday's game after his hand was stepped on by White Sox reliever Matt Thornton when the outfielder slid head-first into first base. It's not clear at this point how much time he might miss. The Indians have an off day on Monday.

Michael Bourn left Sunday's game after his right hand was stepped on when he slid into first base.
White Sox reliever Matt Thornton stepped on Bourn as he went to cover the bag on the outfielder's infield single. Bourn had three hits in the game, including a home run, before exiting. The Indians should update his status before long.

Michael Bourn is out of the Indians' starting lineup on Tuesday evening against the Yankees.
It's just a routine day off for the speedy center fielder, who is hitting .344/.400/.594 with one homer and one steal through the first seven games of his Indians tenure. Drew Stubbs is starting in center field and Ryan Raburn is playing right field on Tuesday against New York.

Indians signed OF Michael Bourn to a four-year, $48 million contract.
The deal, which also contains a $12 million vesting option for a fifth season, was reported Monday and is now official. Bourn, of course, will start in center field for the Tribe, with Michael Brantley handling left, Drew Stubb sliding over to right and Nick Swisher moving in to first base. The 30-year-old hit .274/.348/.391 with nine homers, 57 RBI and 42 steals in 155 games last season for the Braves.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets made a four-year, $48 million offer to Michael Bourn.
That's the exact amount of guaranteed money that Bourn got Monday night from the Indians, but his deal with Cleveland carries a $12 million vesting option for 2017. The Mets were told by Major League Baseball that the grievance over retaining their 2013 first-round pick would not have a resolution for 2-3 weeks.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Indians have signed free agent outfielder Michael Bourn to a four-year, $48 million contract with a vesting option for 2017.
That option vests if Bourn reaches 550 plate appearances in 2016. It's another big offseason splash for the Indians, who have also acquired Nick Swisher, Trevor Bauer, Drew Stubbs, Jason Giambi, Mark Reynolds and Daisuke Matsuzaka. They also decided to keep shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Bourn will start in center field for Cleveland and should retain a good amount of fantasy value. He hit .274/.348/.391 with nine homers, 57 RBI and 42 stolen bases in 155 games last season for the Braves.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Cubs are "on the fringes" of the market for outfielder Michael Bourn.
Bourn has struggled to attract offers this winter because he is tied to the new draft pick compensation system. But signing him would only cost the Cubs their second-round selection in 2013, so they're keeping an open line of communication with the free agent center fielder's representatives and may pounce if the asking price dips low enough. He'd make for fine midseason trade bait.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that MLBPA executive counsel David Prouty has been in talks with MLB through the Mets regarding the Michael Bourn draft pick issue.
The report contradicts the New York Daily News' Andy Martino's report from Sunday that said the two sides had yet to discuss the matter. Jim Bowden of ESPN.com reported last week that the Mets believe their pick will be protected if there is a hearing before an arbitrator regarding the issue. The Mets are obviously hesitant to sign Bourn if it meant losing the No. 11 pick.

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that there have been "no discussions" between Major League Baseball and the MLBPA regarding the Mets' draft pick issue.
The Mets think they should be able to keep the No. 11 pick if they sign Michael Bourn since they had the 10th-worst record in 2012, but it is the MLBPA, not the Mets, that would have to file a grievance. Jim Bowden of ESPN.com reported last week that the Mets believe their pick will be protected if there is a hearing before an arbitrator regarding the issue.

According to Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio, it is likely that the Mets' 11th overall pick will be protected if they sign outfielder Michael Bourn.
The Mets first have to convince Major League Baseball and the MLBPA to tweak the new draft pick compensation rules, but the word is that that could very well wind up being a successful pursuit. The Mets front office is reportedly willing to offer the speedy center fielder a four-year free agent contract worth close to $15 million annually. Bourn hasn't drawn much interest from other teams because signing him will cost any organization outside of the Top 10 its 2013 first-round draft pick.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Mets are "still hopeful" on Michael Bourn, but "nothing seems imminent."
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported earlier Wednesday that the Mets could be willing to offer Bourn a four-year contract, which, at this point, might be enough to reel him in. Bourn's agent, Scott Boras, has been holding out for a five-year pact, but that might not be realistic since the market has clearly softened. Sherman's report also stated that the club and Boras' camp are confident that they have a winning argument to retain the No. 11 pick should the case go to an arbitrator.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Mets have hinted at a willingness to offer Michael Bourn a four-year contract.

ESPN's Buster Olney writes that the Indians are among the teams that "might have interest" in free agent outfielder Michael Bourn.
Olney adds that Bourn's price tag would have to drop considerably for the Indians to be interested. It's unclear where Bourn would fit with the club, as they already appear set with Nick Swisher, Michael Brantley and Drew Stubbs in their outfield. However, opposed to the Mets, the Indians' first-round pick in 2013 is protected. The Rangers and Mariners have also been mentioned as possible landing spots for the speedy center fielder.

David Wright told Kevin Kernan of the New York Post that he has spoken and exchanged texts with free agent outfielder Michael Bourn in an effort to recruit him to join the Mets.
"I wanted to be there to answer any question he might have and let him know that with some of the young arms that we have and the young talent we have, we are not far off," said Wright. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Monday that he has kept in touch with Bourn's agent, Scott Boras, but it's unclear whether they are willing to spend what it will take to bring him to Queens. They are also reluctant to give up their first-round pick in order to sign him.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he's in an "ongoing discussion" with Michael Bourn's agent, Scott Boras.

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Rangers have not renewed their interest in free agent outfielder Michael Bourn.
And Sullivan hears that the Rangers aren't expected to change their stance if Nelson Cruz is suspended, as they would likely go with Mitch Moreland or Mike Olt in the outfield. Bourn reportedly wants a five-year contract, but it's hard to see who will be willing to give it to him.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and assistant general manager John Ricco traveled to Houston last week to have dinner with free agent center fielder Michael Bourn and his agent, Scott Boras.

Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that free agent outfielder Michael Bourn wants a five-year contract.
Puma says the Mets "aren't going there," and neither is any other major league team. Bourn, because he's tied to draft pick compensation, is going to have to lower his asking price to attract suitors. The 30-year-old outfielder batted .274/.348/.391 with nine homers, 57 RBI and 42 stolen bases in 155 games last season for the Braves.

MLB.com's Richard Justice writes that the Mets have "zero interest" in Michael Bourn if it means losing their top draft pick.
The Mets aren't close to being relevant in the NL East and would have to give up their first-round pick in order to sign Bourn, though the MLBPA could file a grievance that would allow their pick to be protected. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported earlier this week that eight different teams could be looking to make a late run at Bourn, including the Mariners, Rays, and Orioles. The Mariners are also tied to draft pick compensation at 12th overall.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale calls the Mets and Mariners the "favorites" for free agent Michael Bourn.
The Rangers, Nightengale says, are not "involved at all." Bourn has struggled to attract a healthy market this winter because signing him means the loss of a draft pick. The Mets right now -- though they're trying to fight it -- would lose a first-round pick (11th overall). The Mariners would also lose their first-round selection at 12th overall.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that "teams are starting to emerge" for free agent outfielder Michael Bourn.
Heyman identifies eight different teams -- the Mets, Braves, Rangers, Mariners, Orioles, Cubs, Rays and Dodgers -- that could be looking to make a late run at the best free agent left on the open market. Bourn, 30, batted .274/.348/.391 with nine homers, 57 RBI and 42 stolen bases in 155 games last year for the Braves while playing his usual brand of excellent defense in center field. He'll probably want to sign before mid-February.

A source told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal that there is "zero chance" the Mets will be willing to meet agent Scott Boras' asking price for Michael Bourn.
Even with Bourn's market appearing to sour as the days drop off the calendar, the Mets never seemed like a likely destination. Interestingly, the Mets have explored the possibility of requesting that the No. 11 pick be protected since the Pirates jumped ahead of them when they were unable to sign Gerrit Cole. It sounds like it would be a moot point, though.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, a "reliable major league source with knowledge of the Mets' plans" wouldn't rule out the possibility that the club could pursue free agent outfielder Michael Bourn.

FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Rangers are "keeping lines of communication open" on free agent outfielder Michael Bourn.
The Rangers are also still interested in a possible trade for Diamondbacks' outfielder Justin Upton, though there's no indication that they are willing to deal either Elvis Andrus or Jurickson Profar. The Rangers are tentatively set to go with a platoon of Craig Gentry and Leonys Martin in center field, but Bourn could make sense if his price falls far enough. The one major catch is that the Rangers would have to give up their first-round draft pick in 2013 in order to sign him.

According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, the Rangers haven't ruled out adding Michael Bourn or Kyle Lohse.
The Rangers have been reluctant to pursue either player until now because of their perceived asking prices, but GM Jon Daniels said Monday that he might be able to fit one more outfielder or starting pitcher into the mix. As of now, Craig Gentry and Leonys Martin are expected to platoon in center field while Martin Perez is the favorite for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. The Rangers would have to surrender their first-round draft pick in order to sign Bourn or Lohse.

According to Andy McCullough of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Mets are not expected to pursue free agent outfielder Michael Bourn.
Some have speculated that the two sides could be a match because the Mets have an obvious need in their outfield and Bourn's market hasn't been as strong as originally hoped. However, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson doesn't want to surrender the team's first-round draft pick in order to sign a free agent. "We've very wary of that," said Alderson. "It's not our M.O."

Braves general manager Frank Wren said Sunday that the team has "never closed the door" on re-signing Michael Bourn.
Wren added that if they did bring back Bourn, it would be a "toss up" as to whether he or B.J. Upton would play center field. The reality, of course, is that Bourn's price would have to fall dramatically for him to become a feasible option for the Braves. While the market for Bourn has been slower than expected, he'll almost surely wind up being too expensive for Atlanta.