CLEVELAND, Ohio – It doesn’t look like Franmil Reyes is going to see much time in the yard. At least not the early stages of the MLB 60-game season that begins July 24 for the Indians at Progressive Field.
Manager Terry Francona, speaking to reporters on a Zoom call from PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Saturday, says Reyes is going to be spending a lot of time in DH, while occasionally helping out in the left and right fields.
“It was more difficult (playing it in the outfield) simply because he missed three days to get tested,” said Francona. “Then she missed another day and a half when she slipped hard. In an expanding camp, missing five days has probably made it a little more difficult.
“He has played in the outfield several times. My hope is that the trend will continue for a bit. I think it gives us a stronger lineup if we are able to get him to left or right field at least a few times. ”
Reyes attended a July 4 party and did not wear a mask. His image appeared on social networks and the Indians excluded him from the progressive field until he tested negative for the coronavirus. On Monday he slipped clumsily to second base, Francona called it a car accident, and twisted his back.
Friday night against the Pirates, the first time in Spring Training II that the Indians played against a team other than themselves, Reyes DH’d and batted fifth. The initial outfield had Oscar Mercado in the center, Tyler Naquin on the right and Domingo Santana on the left.
Reyes made 83 starts in right field last year for the Padres. When the Indians acquired him as part of the Trevor Bauer deal, he made 45 starts in DH and three on the right.
The Indians played their ninth game of Spring Training II on Saturday. Reyes has DH’d six times.
The situation in the garden is still cloudy. Delino DeShields is expected to open the year on the disabled list as he recovers from his fight with the coronavirus. There was a chance that Jordan Luplow, another gardener, might join him due to back pain. However, Luplow had three at-bats against Adam Plutko in a simulated game Saturday at Progressive Field. He DH on Sunday night at Progressive Field.
If DeShields opens in IL, the Indians still have nine outfielders on the list. Everyone has options except Domingo Santana.
“We are trying to find out where everyone fits in,” said Francona. “We have many options and some really difficult decisions to make. I don’t want to rate the field right now because that’s not fair to anyone. But we will be aware as always with our decisions. “
Cleveland Indians third baseman Christian Arroyo warms up before the Cleveland Indians play their game within the squad. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
No. 1: the usefulness of everything
The Indians have three players vying for utility work: Mike Freeman, Christian Arroyo, and Yu Chang. Arroyo is the newest addition, coming on a Tampa Bay exchange in July. He was unable to play at the time due to a forearm problem, but he made a good impression in Spring Training I and II.
“We are trying to get an idea of what he can handle by moving around the diamond,” Francona said. “We know he has a lot of pop in his bat. He is an interesting boy. He’s a bit removed from being a main prospect because he got hit for a couple of years. But you can see inside what people like.
“Are you able to do that from part-time service banking? Those are things that we are trying to solve. We are trying to move it around the diamond. We’ll see where it goes.
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger pitches during Wednesday’s intra-squad game. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
# 2: it doesn’t stop
Francona said the Indians are not planning to arrest Mike Clevinger after he experienced some delivery problems on Wednesday. Clevinger, who underwent surgery on his left knee in February, said he was having trouble planting his left foot and locking his knee so he could drive to the plate. He said it was if his body didn’t trust that the knee would support its weight and energy.
“I think he said it was definitely more mental than physical,” said Francona. “You understand. You’re landing on that strong leg and you’re using it as a lever. I don’t think he fully trusted it. The hope is that as he continues to hold on and strengthen himself, he won’t be thinking about it anymore.”
Clevinger’s last start before the start of the season will be Monday against the Pirates at Progressive Field.
Indian gardeners Jordan Luplow (left) and Oscar Mercado speak in Goodyear, Arizona, during Spring Training II.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
No. 3: familiar face in Pittsburgh
Erik González started at shortstop for the Pirates on Friday night. González spent 10 years in organizing the Indians before he was traded to the Pirates before the 2019 season for Luplow and Max Moroff.
“He is a great boy,” said Francona. Defensively, he is really good. I think we were pretty comfortable with our shortstop (Francisco Lindor). We do not think it was the most suitable for the bench. When you trade a player, it doesn’t mean you don’t like it. We were trying to do a baseball exchange. Pittsburgh valued it and we value Jordan Luplow. It ended up working quite well. “
Gonzalez suffered a shoulder fracture last year, while Luplow hit .276 with 15 home runs and 38 RBIs in 85 games for the Indians.
Jefry Rodríguez has made four spring starts for the Cleveland Indians, but could be off the opening list at the end of the month.AP
No. 4: To close … a trip to the Classic Park for Jefry Rodriguez
Right handed Jefry Rodriguez He was assigned to Classic Park, the Indians’ alternative training site, on Saturday. Rodríguez arrived at Spring Training II with lower back pain and did not pitch in an in-school game. “Now we will have it out in the hope that it can help us sometime this year,” Francona said. “Last year there was a lot I liked and made so many delivery adjustments.” The list has been reduced to 37. … Zach Plesac It started on Saturday night against pirates. Francona noted that Plesac has been more balanced on rubber in spring training I and II. “His balance when he gets past the rubber is like night and day,” said Francona. “Last year he was able to compete so well and his arm is so fast that he got away with it. You’re going to see him do a lot more physically this year than last year because of that. ”
A variety of Cleveland Indians face masks available online today. (Fanatics.com)
New Indian face masks for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed facial liners for coronavirus protection, including a mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All MLB proceeds donated to charity.
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