The Guardians will be without shortstop Gabriel Arias for 4-8 weeks, the team announced. The infielder suffered a moderate strain of his left hamstring while legging out a double during Monday’s loss to the Royals.
Arias started 10 of Cleveland’s first 11 games at shortstop. He connected on a couple home runs but otherwise hasn’t contributed at the plate, batting .200 with 12 strikeouts in 32 plate appearances. That’s usual for Arias, who strikes out as much as any regular in MLB. He’s in the lineup for his above-average glove.
Brayan Rocchio slides over from second base to replace Arias as the regular shortstop. Rocchio has ample shortstop experience and should be a steady if unspectacular hand there. The bigger change comes at second base, where the Guardians called up prospect Juan Brito when placing Arias on the injured list yesterday.
The switch-hitting Brito has hit well throughout his minor league career and is out to a 4-8 start with a couple doubles as a big leaguer. There’ll be a defensive downgrade in the middle infield, though, as scouts have long been cool on Brito’s glove. He committed an error on a routine grounder in this afternoon’s win over Kansas City. Skipper Stephen Vogt could lean on Daniel Schneemann as a defensive upgrade late in games. Schneemann also projects as the backup shortstop if Rocchio needs a day off.
Arias will be sidelined into May and may be down into June. There’s a chance that top second base prospect Travis Bazzana, the first overall pick in 2024, is up by that point. Bazzana is out to a relatively slow start in Triple-A, though playing in cold weather in April is probably a factor. Aside from Chase DeLauter, Cleveland hasn’t hit much in the early going. They’re nevertheless out to an 8-5 start with series wins over the Dodgers, Cubs, and Kansas City behind excellent work from the starting rotation.
Such a sad and pointless injury that wouldn’t have happened with designated runners.
#UniversalDR
That’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard tbh
What?
He was running out a double when he injured it. Even in your weird scenario, that would involve a runner standing next to home plate and taking off at the crack of the bat.
I don’t know about Bazzana I’m sure he will develop fine but outside of his good discipline his hitting has been underwhelming in the minors so far.
I dont understand the negativity over Bazzana’s offensive production.
His wRC+ by level.
A+ 126
AA 136
AAA 138
Those are pretty fair numbers.
He’s off to a slow start this year, but its only 50 PAs
Small sample size. If you add two singles, he’d be hitting a “blistering” .283/.378/.436 in AAA.
For me it’s the fact he was 22 last year and only hit 9 home runs. I’m sure he will develop some power but it’s a lot easier to relax when it’s a teenager who hits 5-10 home runs in the minors.
9 homers in 84 games across 3 levels while rehabbing from an injury. He still projects comfortably into the teens or possibly 20 homer range once he plays a full season.
I am not sure he is going to have a job when he gets back.
What will they do with Brito once Bazzana is ready?
Anyone can play outfield in Cleveland…
I was wondering that myself.. what if Brito is hitting MLB pitching (especially LHP) and Bazzana shows he is ready.
I know it is early but I wonder if Manzardo/Fry continue to struggle, maybe one of them gets pushed to AAA and Brito takes their ABs.. splitting time at DH/1B and occasionally at 2B.
Depends on how Brito plays over the next month or so.
So far, so good…and Brito has hit at every level.
*****
As for Bazzana’s power, fans get too hung up on home runs. Bazzana has averaged an extra base hit every ten at bats. As good young hitters tend to do, XBHs turn into home runs as they mature.
A kid that developes into a MLB batter good for 50 XBHs in 500 at bats is very productive.
Similar producers..
Bo Bichette
Jackson Merrill
But if you are a Cleveland fan, those kind of numbers would make him a (healthy) Jason Kipnis…and that means a 4 WAR player.
Everybody would take another Dirtbag, like Kipnis.
Bazzana is just fine, if he stays healthy.
Gimme 9 Dirtbags!