The Cleveland Indians are losing players by the day and yet, still seem to be doing just fine on the field.
Playing the lowly Baltimore Orioles helps too.
Thursday brought some more injury news, both bad and good.
Let’s start with the former.
Unfortunate Bad News For Several Players
Cleveland roster moves:
*Austin Hedges to the 7-day concussion IL
*Ryan Lavarnway promoted from Triple-A
*Jordan Luplow to the 60-day IL (he's expected to be out until at least late July)— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) June 17, 2021
Austin Hedges is officially on the concussion list after taking a shot to the head not too long ago.
Hopefully, waiting to go on the list did not cause him any long-term harm.
That puts the Indians down two catchers as Roberto Perez continues his own rehab.
More on that later.
In Hedges’ place is Ryan Lavarnway, who now joins Rene Rivera on the depth chart.
The 33-year-old has scattered MLB experience and now gives the Indians a veteran bunch behind the plate.
His .863 OPS in Triple-A this year is a promising sign as well.
But the worst news of all is Jordan Luplow hitting the 60-day IL.
He seemed to be headed back after a recent rehab assignment, but his lingering injury clearly never went away.
The best thing right now may just be rest and staying off that injured ankle.
Positive Injury Updates
With the bad comes some good.
The Indians are optimistic that Roberto Pérez and Franmil Reyes can begin a rehab assignment in the next week or so. Zach Plesac will throw a bullpen session tomorrow and could start a rehab assignment in the next couple weeks.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) June 17, 2021
Perez and Franmil Reyes are two everyday starters who, if they can begin a rehab assignment soon, could realistically return by the start of the second half of the season.
Reyes’ bat not being in the lineup is a huge absence and puts even more pressure on Jose Ramirez to carry the lineup.
If not for the injury, Reyes may be in contention for an All-Star spot.
Perez is obviously a huge asset given the way he runs the pitching staff.
Having veterans like Rivera and Lavarnway is nice, but neither has worked with this staff as much as Perez.
He also projects to be the best option on offense on a consistent basis.
Speaking of the pitching staff, Zach Plesac just throwing a bullpen session is great news.
He appears to be headed for a return after the All-Star break, but likely not right after.
What we do not have here is a Shane Bieber update, but he is still in the early stages of his injury.
For now, rest is the order and he will be reevaluated in a week or so.
All eyes are thus on Plesac as the Indians are trying to piece together some semblance of a normal starting rotation.
In the meantime, the team entered Thursday at 37-28 and seems to be doing just fine.
Continuing to win and then getting all these veterans back in July should only make the team better as they try to catch the Chicago White Sox in the division.
That would be the best news of all.
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