The Cleveland Indians could use some positive injury-related news as Josh Naylor became the latest player to go down in 2021.
Some positive news did in fact come out Monday, as Franmil Reyes will continue his rehab assignment this week.
Reyes has spent some time in Triple-A Columbus, and the early results look like he hasn’t missed any time at all.
A sight for sore eyes.
Franmil Reyes is getting back to it.
(via @CLBClippers)pic.twitter.com/x6J57bssix
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) June 27, 2021
There is Reyes, just mashing a home run after dealing with what appeared to be a painful oblique injury.
He is now set to continue his rehab in Akron before hopefully being activated this weekend.
Reyes will play in Akron on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) June 28, 2021
A Much-Needed Return
The Indians desperately need Reyes back in the lineup.
While Naylor going out doesn’t represent a major loss, he was still an everyday player with a positive WAR.
Reyes has not played in over a month and is still second on the team in home runs with 11.
He is also third in RBI, which shows just how much the Indians need their slugger back.
And he is coming back at a great time because Eddie Rosario has been heating up on offense.
Having Reyes, Rosario, and Jose Ramirez all healthy in the lineup, and performing at a high level, is what the front office imagined when camp broke back in February.
Ramirez and Rosario were expected to carry the load, while Reyes was still an unknown.
Then Reyes and Ramirez looked like the stars, while Rosario was struggling.
Starting in July, everything can finally start going as planned.
More Positive News
The good news keeps on coming as Roberto Perez joined Reyes in Cleveland on Monday to take some batting practice.
Franmil Reyes and Roberto Perez taking early BP. pic.twitter.com/iWq3mc80F7
— Joe Noga (@JoeNogaCLE) June 28, 2021
The catcher has also been rehabbing in the minors and should be on schedule for a return soon as well.
That means the Indians will get two starters back at or near the same time.
All the team needs now is for one of the injured starting pitchers to return and any panic that has set in can slowly fade away.
Perez has barely played in 2021 as he left after only 19 games due to his finger injury.
He even had to have surgery to repair the damage.
His return may be even more important due to his abilities to manage a pitching staff.
He now gets to work with a rotation full of rookies, who can all use his experience and defensive skills to their advantage.
Even if Perez’s numbers on offense aren’t great, fans know by now the huge impact he plays behind the plate.
It sure is nice to have positive injury updates during this 2021 season.
The Indians aren’t exactly sliding down the standings, but it is concerning when so many key players are out.
Seeing the team play well and knowing Reyes and Perez are set to return should only have fans thrilled as the All-Star Game approaches.
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