CLEVELAND — Jon Lester’s return to the major leagues hit home with everyone in the baseball world last night. Even though there was a definite buzz around the Red Sox’ clubhouse prior to the game, the Cleveland Indians players were also thrilled to see the 23-year-old cancer survivor back on the mound.

Especially Indians catcher Kelly Shoppach.

Shoppach, who was selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2001 draft, spent the majority of his time with Boston in its minor-league system and got to know Lester well.

“Obviously, I’m very happy for him and very proud of him,” said Shoppach. “He went through quite a bit, and from what I understand he’s been ready to go now and he’s been waiting to get back. It’s just real exciting to see him back on the mound. For me personally, it’s exciting because we did play together. When he got sick, I got sick with him.”

When Shoppach first found out about Lester’s condition, like everyone, he was shocked by the news.

“I was very surprised,” said Shoppach. “You just can’t imagine something [like that] happening to one of your friends, someone your age. It makes you take a big look at the big picture. I’m glad to see he’s healthy.”

Shoppach saw Lester during the offseason in Fort Myers, Fla., and said he was in good spirits.

“I had no doubt he would be back in the big leagues soon,” said Shoppach. “I expected to see him back where he is now.”

Shoppach was not the only Lester supporter in the Indians’ clubhouse.

“I think it was good for a lot of people to see him back out there,” said former teammate Trot Nixon. “Hundreds of thousands of people have gone through this disease, and there have been a lot of great stories out there, not just sports related but all throughout the world. He’s a real good kid and very respectful and so eager to learn. He’s got a great career ahead of him and to have this happen to him, and for him to battle and persevere — it was good to see him out there. With God’s will he’ll stay cancer-free.”

Hoping for tomorrow

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz (shoulder) was out of the lineup again last night, but there’s a possibility he could be back tomorrow. Ortiz said he took swings in the cage yesterday and he felt a “little pinch” in his ailing shoulder, which he injured sliding head first into second base on Friday at Fenway.

“He’s doing really well,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. “There was a lot of improvement today, which is great news. Maybe [tomorrow] he’ll be able to start. His range of motion drastically improved today.”

Ortiz said he wasn’t able to swing the bat normally yesterday afternoon, but once he warmed up, it felt better. He said he’ll take live BP on the field today and is hoping to be back tomorrow.

Tavarez a long man

With Lester back in the rotation for now, as expected, the struggling Julian Tavarez was sent to the bullpen. The veteran reliever by trade took the move well.

“We appreciate everything,” said Francona. “I know the last four starts [he’s struggled], but he’s bailed us out. We got a lot of starts (from him) where we thought we were going to win the game. We all thought down deep at some point we were going to move him to the pen, and it will serve him well.”

It actually will help the Red Sox because Tavarez now becomes a long man, along with Kyle Snyder. The manager said the organization is honest and up front with players, so Tavarez knew all along this move was a possibility.

Not a fun decision

To make room for Lester, and with Tavarez back in the bullpen, the Red Sox designated right-hander Joel Pineiro for assignment yesterday.

“It wasn’t a very fun decision,” said Francona. “Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions based on how your bullpen is set up.”

The manager said with the way the bullpen is now set up, the team had to make the move.

“It was a difficult move that we thought we needed to make,” he said. “I would love to have 26 on a roster, but you can’t.”

Pineiro was 1-1, 5.03 in 31 relief appearances for Boston this season.

Some bad news

While Lester’s return to the mound was good news, there was some sad news in the world of baseball yesterday. Former major-leaguer Mike Coolbaugh was struck on the head and killed by a line drive on Sunday night. Coolbaugh, 35, was a hitting coach for the Tulsa Drillers, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. He was coaching first base during a game when he was struck.

Numerous Red Sox personnel talked about the incident yesterday afternoon, and Francona said he knew Coolbaugh and was saddened by the news.

Francona, who served as a third-base coach for Detroit and Oakland, said he was rarely worried about standing as close as some coaches do.

“I don’t think I ever worried, but I think I should have,” he said. “I had a lot of close calls and was hit in the ankles. I remember in Detroit Cecil Fielder scared me. With a guy on second, you have to be down the line and I remember thinking if Cecil hits it I’ve got no where to go; just pick me up. But he was the only guy I remember feeling like that.”

PawSox manger Ron Johnson, who coaches third, was hit in the back, near the ribcage area, earlier this season in Scranton. Pawtucket first baseman Jeff Bailey pulled a line drive that Johnson, who stands extremely close to home plate, couldn’t get out of the way of. Johnson had a large bruise because of it.

jmcdonal@projo.com