CLEVELAND -- Indians first baseman Nick Swisher hit off a tee and survived batting practice without feeling stabbing pain in his left shoulder. Hes ready to test it in a game. Swisher moved closer to returning to Clevelands lineup on Friday after missing nearly a week with an injury that has been bothering him most of this season. Swisher had hoped to be available as a pinch hitter for the Indians series opener against Minnesota, but manager Terry Francona said its more likely that he wont play until Saturday. Also, Indians closer Chris Perez threw a bullpen session that Francona said went "very well" as the right-hander tries to come back from a strained right rotator cuff. Perez has been on the disabled list since May 27, and the two-time All-Star had a rough outing earlier this week for Double-A Akron. Indians All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera took grounders and did some agility drills as he recovers from a leg injury that landed him on the DL on June 4. Cabrera will travel with the team to Baltimore next week, and as long as he doesnt have any setbacks, hell be activated while the Indians are on the road. Francona said Perez will throw a simulated game on Sunday in Akron and will likely make another rehab appearance before the Indians consider activating him. Perez gave up five runs -- three homers -- in one inning earlier this week for the Aeros. Francona said it was Perezs idea to pitch the simulated game. Earlier this week, Perez said "everything" felt wrong when he faced Trenton and was clobbered during his brief outing. As for Swisher, he will have to manage his shoulder injury for the remainder of this season. He had been dealing with some pain for several weeks and then aggravated the injury when he took a big swing trying to hit a home run last Saturday against Washington. He has missed Clevelands past four games. Swisher received a cortisone shot on Monday and has been getting treatment. He came to the ballpark and hit off a tee on Thursday, an off day for the Indians. He had typical soreness, but nothing like what hes been feeling. "You can deal with the soreness and all that stuff, but the sharp pain is what were trying to get rid of," he said. "And knock on wood, man, whatever they did it really feels good right now." Swisher, who signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Indians in December, has only been on the disabled list once in his career -- in 2005 for Oakland-- but now that hes gotten older, the 32-year-old knows he has to take better care of himself. "I try to take a lot of pride in being on the field," he said. "This isnt one of those things thats kind of going to go away. The biggest thing is to take accountability for it. Those days of showing up at 11:30 (for a day game) and getting ready to play are gone. I need to strengthen my shoulders up a little more." Francona intends to be careful with Swisher, but he said its vital his first baseman monitor himself. "Hes going to have to manage it all year and I think he understands that," Francona said. "This is going to have to be part of his routine." Doug Kotar Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Eli Manning Youth Jersey .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Phil-Mcconkey-Jersey/ .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Eli Manning Womens Jersey . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Phil McConkey Youth Jersey .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. NORMAL, Ill. -- Mitch Kimble passed for 108 yards and two touchdowns and Eastern Illinois capitalized on three turnovers to hold off Illinois State 24-21 on Saturday in the 105th Mid-America Classic.The Panthers (2-1) took a 24-7 lead early in the fourth quarter on Devin Churchs 30-yard TD run. The Redbirds replied with a 58-yard scoring run by Jake Kolbe and a 2-yard TD catch by Spencer Schnell with 36 seconds left. But the Redbirds didnt recover the onside kick.The Redbirds couldnt overcome miscues and a missed field goal that led 10 first-half points for the Panthers.Vince Spiller recovered a fumble by Illinois States Jamal Towns, setting up Nick Brunos 42-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.dddddddddddd. Te Stone-Davis intercepted a pass by Kolbe in the second quarter, and Kimble hit Addison Bounds on a 4-yard touchdown pass four plays later.The Redbirds (2-1) scored in the third quarter on Kolbes 16-yard TD pass to Christian Gibbs, but Kimble replied with a 34-yard TD strike to Ben Odugbesan on the next Eastern Illinois possession.Kolbe connected on 25 of 37 passes for 275 yards ' ' '