CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) - There haven't been many runs of player injuries in recent memory that would rival the first few months of the 2021 season for the Cleveland Indians.
Cam Hill. Roberto Perez. Jordan Luplow. Franmil Reyes. Zach Plesac. Aaron Civale. Shane Bieber. Now, Josh Naylor, who was placed on the 10-day IL after suffering a closed right ankle fracture and dislocation in Sunday's 8-2 Tribe loss to Minnesota.
The most recent setback - Naylor - was discussed by Indians manager Terry Francona on Monday prior to the Tribe's evening matchup with the Detroit Tigers.
"I'm really hopeful that going through this, that will be what gets him to the finish line in [getting] back to being a good player," Francona said about Naylor Monday afternoon.
Total recall
For the time being, the club will have to fill the gaps with other players...including those who will get another go at the major league level.
In a corresponding move to Naylor's placement on the IL, the Indians announced the recall of outfielder Oscar Mercado and pitcher Logan Allen to the club.
Mercado, 26, returns to the pros after a sophomore slump in the shortened 2020 campaign. After putting up promising numbers as a rookie (.269 average with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs in 2019), Mercado batted just .128 with one homer and 6 runs batted in over 36 games for Cleveland during the COVID year. In 45 games with Triple-A Columbus this year, Mercado has sported a .216 average with 13 doubles, five home runs, and 23 RBIs, and has batted .265 since the start of June.
“He had a really tough spring," said Francona on Mercado. "And on the heels of a really tough abbreviated [2020 season]…hopefully he can still continue with working on what he’s been working on.”
As for Allen, who was sent down after a 1-4 start for the Indians (along with a 9.19 ERA), Francona's hope is to utilize the left-hander as a starter - and soon.
He is going to be in the bullpen tonight," said Francona. "The hope is that we don't need him, and he can start on Thursday. With the way our pitching's been, we've asked guys to be a little flexible - more so than in the past."
Return of Reyes
One of the veteran bats that could be returning to the Tribe lineup soon is slugger Franmil Reyes, who has been out since late May with an internal oblique strain.
When asked about Reyes' redevelopment plans, Francona answered that Reyes was expected to play three straight rehab games in Double-A Akron: "Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday...back to back to back...then, probably let him [sit] down Friday and reactivate him on Saturday."
Further (re)developments
Along with Reyes, the Akron RubberDucks will see Indians mainstays Zach Plesac (thumb) and Robert Perez (finger) active for games this week as they return from respective injuries.
As for pitchers Shane Bieber (shoulder strain), Francona says the reigning Cy Young winner had received a "quick examination" and was increasing intensity in his recovery. Francona says Bieber will undergo another scan "at some point."
Up next
Monday night's contest is the start of the three-game home stretch for Cleveland against in-division rival Detroit, with RHP Eli Morgan (0-2, 10.32 ERA) facing off with Tigers RHP Matt Manning (1-1, 3.38 ERA), who picked up his first career win last Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals (5.2 IP, five hits, two earned runs, two walks, one strikeout).
