CLEVELAND -- Michael Bourn's lingering hamstring injury has sidelined him again.
The Cleveland Indians placed their leadoff hitter and center fielder on the 15-day disabled list after he re-injured his left leg Saturday night.
Bourn has been battling the injury since late season, and the problem won't go away.
"I don't want to go on the DL, but I know it's the best thing for me," he said. "It's sore. I can't say it's not sore. I know it's sore."
Bourn had surgery on the hamstring in October and had a setback in spring training. He began the season on the DL, missing the first 13 games.
Bourn injured the hamstring again on May 3 and missed four games. He was removed from Saturday's game in the eighth inning after his leg tightened up while scoring from second base on a single by Michael Brantley.
"I slowed down when I was two steps from third," Bourn said. "I knew right then."
Bourn was scheduled to have an MRI on Sunday.
"Best-case scenario he wouldn't have to come back until next weekend, and with the All-Star break starting (next) Monday, and having four days off, we felt this was the best way to go," Indians manager Terry Francona said.
Bourn's latest setback is a blow to the Indians, who are trying to stay in contention in the AL Central. Cleveland's offense has struggled most of the season and Francona will have to juggle his lineup without Bourn, who is batting .267 with seven stolen bases and 37 runs scored in 66 games.
Jason Kipnis batted leadoff Sunday against Kansas City while Brantley moved from left field to center.
Francona doesn't think the injury is a chronic issue for Bourn, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract prior to last season.
"He hurt it, he got it fixed," Francona said. "He's had it a couple of times since. This is going to cost him eight or nine games. This is not a season-ending injury."
Bourn was optimistic the injury was finally behind him.
"It felt real good," he said. "It's probably the best it's felt throughout the whole thing. I was excited about it, then this happens. I started feeling really good about two weeks ago. I felt like my legs were under me like they normally are. Now I have to go back to square one."
Outfielder Tyler Holt was called up from Triple-A Columbus. He began the season at Double-A Akron and is hitting .302 in the minors this season.