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.