Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner, who has been out since Aug. 6 with lower back inflammation, is preparing to rejoin the Indians in the near future.

DH Travis Hafner (back) has been hitting and doing core/cardio work. Will likely take BP with team when it returns home.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 12, 2012

Hafner missed over a month earlier this year with a torn meniscus and has only appeared in 60 games this season, going .239 with 11 home runs and an .808 OPS.

The Indians are also making progress with other injured players. Roberto Hernandez (formerly known as Fausto Carmona) is throwing long tosses this week and is scheduled to throw off the mound next week as he comes back from an ankle injury. Relief pitcher Rafael Perez, who has been on the DL since April 26, is scheduled to throw a simulated game when the Indians return to Cleveland on Friday.

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