Prior to today’s game, the Guardians placed outfielder Lane Thomas on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 5), as Thomas is again dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Infielder Will Wilson was called up from Triple-A to replace Thomas, who is headed to the IL for the third time this season. The first placement was due a bone bruise in his right wrist, and the last two placements were prompted by Thomas’ recurring foot problems. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt told MLB.com’s Tim Stebbins and other reporters that Thomas again started to feel discomfort in his foot during Friday’s game, so the team decided to see if the combination of an IL stint and the All-Star break can provide enough time for Thomas to finally heal up.
The injuries have contributed to a brutal .160/.246/.272 slash line over 142 plate appearances for Thomas, though he was starting to heat up a little with an .816 OPS and three homers in last 38 PA. Thomas’ struggles have been emblematic of an ugly offensive year for the Guardians as a whole, and today’s loss to the Tigers extended the Guards’ losing streak to 10 games. It increasingly seems like Cleveland will be sellers at the deadline, yet Thomas’ injuries and lack of production will probably mean the Guards won’t be able to move the impending free agent.
More from around the AL Central…
- Cole Ragans will resume throwing tomorrow after an MRI came back clean, Royals manager Matt Quatraro told MLB.com’s Anne Rogers and other reporters. The Royals ace hasn’t thrown since suffering a left rotator cuff strain in early June, so with that four-week shutdown period now over, Ragans can get started on the early stages of what could be a lengthy ramp-up plan. It doesn’t appear likely that Ragans will be back in the K.C. rotation before the July 31 deadline, and his progress will surely be a factor in whatever decisions the Royals face about buying or selling. Today’s win over the Diamondbacks bumped Kansas City up to a modest 43-48 record, and the club sits 5.5 games out of the final AL Wild card slot.
- Another injury arose for the Royals prior to today’s game, as the club placed left-hander Daniel Lynch IV on the 15-day IL due to nerve irritation in his throwing elbow. Right-hander Jonathan Bowlan was called up from Triple-A in the corresponding move. Lynch will undergo further testing tomorrow to determine the severity of the injury. The former top prospect has settled into a relief role (with a pair of opener starts this season) in Kansas City, and has managed a 2.59 ERA over 41 2/3 innings despite lackluster strikeout and walk rates. With Lynch out, Angel Zerpa and the struggling Sam Long are the remaining left-handed options in the Kansas City bullpen.
- Alex Cobb was slated to resume playing catch yesterday after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection in his left hip, as per a Tigers medical update from Friday. Cobb has yet to pitch this season due to inflammation in his right hip, and he has made three minor league rehab outings but recurring discomfort in both hips has halted those rehab assignments. Cobb has now received multiple injections in both hips, and it remains to be seen when (or even if) the right-hander will be able to make his official debut on Detroit’s big league roster. The Tigers signed Cobb to a one-year, $15MM free agent deal this past winter, taking the risk on the veteran following his injury-riddled 2024 campaign.
I’m skeptical that the Guardians will sell beyond maybe Santana, Sewald, Junis, or Thomas if he can get healthy and have a productive couple of weeks leading up to the trade deadline
I don’t understand what Scott Harris was thinking when he lured Alex Cobb away from retirement when the guy can barely stand upright without pain anymore. What an incredible way to burn $15 million. He’s never throwing a pitch all season for the Tigers, a total waste.
Agreed. I like Harris but this is a weird one.
I thought the exact same thing. It really made no sense. It, also, wasn’t like they didn’t have any SPing depth. I, honestly, never expected Cobb to ever throw any meaningful innings for them this season.
Harris in his SF days must have loved Cobb, but it was a bad signing as soon as the pen was set down
One of the most ridiculous and wasteful contracts ever.
Ever!
Said Anthony Rendone.
Harris knew Cobb from San Fran and I assume knew he would have a positive impact on the young pitchers within the organization. No way he understood the depth of Cobb’s hip issues. Neither did anyone else.
Cobbs deal makes Verlander’s look a little bit better, although they’re tied for wins at this point.
Based on the Tigers record, Scott Harris had done so many things right he had to throw a clunker out there so as to not make other GM’s look so bad.
The John Mozeliaks of the world appreciate his team spirit.
I’ve always wondered why the Tigers never seemed interested in bringing Lorenzen back. He did well when he was here, and since, but has never gotten expensive.
Anti Skateboard attitude in the motor city.
How much longer until they call up DeLauter?
After all star break. Look for kayfus too and juan brito when gets healthy from leg injury.
Guardians need to move cooper ingle and angel genao to columbus now !
They need to move Vogt to the unemployment line. No clue.
He had the same roster last season! This has to be on the players.