CLEVELAND – Travis Hafner didn't care the pitcher he was facing was a first base coach. He was just excited to be swinging a bat on the field for the first time in three months.

Sidelined since May 30 with a weak right shoulder, Hafner eagerly took about 50 swings at Progressive Field on Thursday and hopes to be back in Cleveland's lineup by the end of August.

“It was a lot of fun and I felt very good,” Hafner said before Cleveland played the Baltimore Orioles in the finale of a four-game series.

On about his 20th swing, the left-handed slugger hit a ball into the second deck of stands in right field, an area renamed “Pronkville” three years ago in honor of his nickname “Pronk.”

“I've got a long way to go,” Hafner said, reasoning that the shot was hit off Luis Rivera not Mariano Rivera. “I felt strong, didn't have any pain, but we'll see how I feel tomorrow and go from there.”

Hafner hit only .217 with four homers and 22 RBIs in 46 games this year before being shut down when an examination revealed he had virtually zero strength in his right shoulder. A .290 career hitter, he had averaged 32 homers and 108 RBIs over the previous four seasons.

“This year hasn't been much fun,” said Hafner, whose father passed away in July. “Getting on the field, even at 3 in the afternoon, was a blast.

“I was swinging a bat, which is what I do. It's what I've always done. I can't remember going so long without hitting,” he added. “One year when I was in the minors, I started getting ready for spring training on Nov. 1.”

Manager Eric Wedge anticipates getting Hafner, catcher Victor Martinez and second baseman Josh Barfield back this month. Barfield, who had finger surgery on his left hand in June, started a rehab assignment Thursday at Double-A Akron. Martinez, who had right elbow surgery in June, is due to serve as Akron's designated hitter Friday night.

“It was good to see Pronk out on the field and hopefully we'll get him to where Victor and Josh are right now, with them progressing as well,” Wedge said. “We didn't anticipate it being this long. ... I know he's excited and so are we.”