Veteran Indians utility man Mike Aviles could be destined to take over the starting shortstop job, according to the Northeast Ohio Media Group.
Aviles is currently on the family medical emergency list after his daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, but he should be back this weekend.
He would replace struggling Jose Ramirez, who would be sent to Triple-A Columbus for steady work. Ramirez is batting .179.
"I'm encouraged by the way Jose continues to work, both offensively and defensively, to try to improve his performance," said general manager Chris Antonetti. "But it's been a struggle for him. He's a young player that's going through an extended struggle in the major leagues in an environment where there's high expectations for team success."
Ramirez has admitted that, though he remains confident, he's not the same player that helped spark the team following the 2014 trade of Asdrubal Cabrera.
His potential demotion would thrust Zach Walters into the backup shortstop role.