Indians’ Jason Kipnis dealing with sprained ankle from ALCS celebration

Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis sprained his left ankle during a postgame celebration in the AL playoffs, but is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the World Series.

CLEVELAND (AP) Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis sprained his left ankle during a postgame celebration in the AL playoffs, but is expected to be ready for Game 1 of the World Series.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona said Sunday that Kipnis rolled his ankle last Wednesday when he hugged teammate Francisco Lindor on the field after the final out in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series in Toronto

Francona says he expects Kipnis to be OK for the World Series opener on Tuesday night at home against the Chicago Cubs.

Francona described Kipinis’s injury as a low ankle sprain. He's confident rest and the adrenaline Kipnis will feel with 37,000 screaming fans in Progressive Field will help him recover.

Kipnis, who is batting just .167 with seven strikeouts so far in the postseason, took some grounders Sunday while being watched by a member of Cleveland's training staff before the Indians held a team workout.

Kipnis was in the batting cage and not available for interviews during the period Cleveland's clubhouse was open to the media.