Justin Masterson could make his long-awaited return to game action as soon as Tuesday, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Having thrown a 26-pitch simulated game Sunday, Masterson said, "That's as close to pitching in a game as I could get," so his next step could be to rejoin the Indians' staff after Monday's day off.
Masterson's last appearance for the Indians was his Sept. 2 start against the Orioles, as he has been out since then with a strained oblique. He is expected to pitch exclusively as a reliever in whatever appearances he makes over the final week of the regular season.