Swisher is out of the lineup Thursday, the Northeast Ohio Media Group's Paul Hoynes reports. After getting two starts in a row Swisher will get a day off Thursday prior to the Indians' weekend series. David Murphy will get the start at DH Thursday.

The Indians activated Swisher (knee) from the disabled list Tuesday, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports. Swisher has recovered from the procedures he underwent on his knees last August, and he will make his season debut Tuesday night. Swisher will serve as the Indians' designated hitter Tuesday night and figures to see most of his action there until it's clear his knees can hold up while playing in the field.

Swisher (knee) will be activated off the disabled list Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. Swisher has now played in six rehab games with Triple-A Columbus and has been hitting the ball well during that stint, slashing .375/.444/.583 with a homer and five RBI. David Murphy has been seeing most of the starts at DH during his absence, but Swisher figures to slot in as the team's go-to option there when healthy.

Swisher (knee) is unlikely to travel with the Indians for next week's series against the Royals, MLB.com reports. The team wants Swisher to play in three consecutive rehab games before he joins the big-league roster. He'll play for Triple-A Columbus on Friday and Saturday, but will then return to Cleveland to meet with manager Terry Francona and the medical staff. It thus seems Swisher is on track to join the Indians for next weekend's series against the Twins, though the possibility of a return earlier in the week hasn't entirely been ruled out.

Swisher (knee) went 2-for-5 and drove in two runs in his third rehab game Tuesday. Swisher is expected to play again Wednesday before taking a day off before playing in two more games over the weekend. He'll be re-evaluated after that and could be on his way to rejoining the Indians early next week.

Swisher (knee) will return to Triple-A Columbus on Monday and play both DH and right field this week, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. Swisher had gone back to Cleveland over the weekend to meet with team doctors, but it appears he's still at least a week away from returning to the big league team. The plan is for Swisher to play in consecutive games, take a day off, and then play in back-to-back games once again before re-assessing his timetable.

Swisher (knee), who had three hits in his first rehab game Friday, will travel to Cleveland to workout and meet with team doctors Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. Whether or not this indicates a possible accelerated return for Swisher or is just a touch point after his first weekend of his rehab remains to be seen.

Swisher (knee) will start his rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus on Friday but could be looking at a prolonged rehab before rejoining the Indians, MLB.com reports. "I think what we've said all along is we want him to have the best chance of being healthy so he can come up and compete -- not hopefully get a hit and have to go 80 percent around the bases. That's not really helping anyone, especially as hard as he's worked. You want a guy to have a chance to go out there and be competitive, not just go from Point A to B," manager Terry Francona said. Swisher's possible rehab stint is capped at 21 days but it sounds like he may be expected to utilize most of that time as he works his way back from double knee surgery. A return in early-to-mid May may be in the cards as a result depending on his progress.

Swisher (knee) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus this week, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Swisher has been playing in extended spring training games and, if all goes well, could return to the big league team by the start of May. General Manager Chris Antonetti indicated that he'd like to see Swisher complete back-to-back nine-inning games in the field before reinstating him, so the 34-year-old's progress in the rehab assignment should dictate the next step.

Swisher (knee) could begin a rehab assignment as soon as next week, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. "He could start a rehab assignment potentially sometime as early as next week," said general manager Chris Antonetti. "It doesn't mean he's that close (to playing for the Indians). He still has to work through playing back-to-back nine-inning games, playing in the outfield and seeing how he recovers." The Indians have been encouraged by his response to games in extended spring training but aren't going to rush him back. The pending rehab assignment figures to last five days at a minimum so a return closer to the first of May would appear to be a likely scenario.