Indians place Delino DeShields on 10-day injured list

Mar 9, 2020; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Delino DeShields (0) gets ready for a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Photo credit © Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland (92.3 The Fan) - A roster spot may have just opened up for the Indians on Opening Day.

The Tribe placed OF Delino DeShields on the 10-day injured list on Monday, after reporting to the team's summer camp over the weekend. DeShields missed the first week of practice after a positive COVID-19 test in Arizona.

The move to the IL is strategic for the Indians to ease DeShields back into team activities.

He reported to Summer Camp on Saturday after missing the first week of practice, testing negative for the virus upon arrival. But even though he’s back with the team, the Indians said they’re going to ease him back into activities.

DeShields was acquired in December when Cleveland traded former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers.

The 27-year-old posted a .246/.326/.347 slash line in five seasons with the Rangers. He's played in at least 106 games in four of his five seasons. 

Now, the Indians Opening Day outfield without DeShields will be some combination of Oscar Mercado, Franmil Reyes, Domingo Santana, Tyler Naquin, and/or Jordan Luplow.

That leaves a few openings for younger players to earn a spot on the roster. The names you've heard, Jake Bauers, Bradley Zimmer, Daniel Johnson and Greg Allen, could all fill the void in the outfield rotation left by DeShields early in the season.