Skip to main content

Indians activate speedy outfielder Michael Bourn

By WTOP Staff

TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians are getting some speed back to help in their run at the playoffs.

Cleveland activated center fielder Michael Bourn from the disabled list Friday, giving them their quick leadoff hitter and a player capable of making things happen on the base paths and in the outfield.

Bourn, who has slowed by a nagging left hamstring injury all season, had been on the DL since July 6 because of lingering issues with the hamstring, which he had surgery on last October. He recently had rehab stints with Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus and the Indians activated him for their series opener Friday night against the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles.

“I’m happy he’s back and I think he’s probably thrilled,” manager Terry Francona said. “I know he worked really hard to get back, and not just to get back because he understands the importance of how his legs can impact the game.”

In his second season with Cleveland, the two-time All-Star is batting .267 with 7 triples, 3 home runs, 21 RBIs and 37 runs. The Indians were hoping for more from Bourn, who signed a four-year, $48 million during spring training in 2013. But his hamstring has prevented Bourn from doing what he does best — wreaking havoc with his speed.

Bourn was not in the starting lineup Friday and Francona said the 31-year-old will likely play the next two days as long as he doesn’t have any problems.

“He cares,” Francona said. “He really wants to be able to do the right thing and he understands how he helps us win, and again, having that speed back will be really good. But we want to make sure we didn’t rush it and get back to where he can’t move around.”

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said the medical information they’ve received is that Bourn should not have any lingering issues with the hamstring.

“We’re hopeful he’ll get past them, but he’s obviously had recurring issues with his hamstring and his lower body,” Antonetti said. “Michael has much as any player is reliant upon his speed to impact the game. Offensively, on the bases and defensively his legs are a huge part of his contributions. Based upon the information we’re receiving from the medical experts, they don’t feel linger going forward. But we’ll have to see how it plays out.”

Bourn took the roster spot vacated Thursday when reliever John Axford was awarded to the Pittsburgh Pirates on waivers.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote