Guardians Outfielder Injured Again; Triple-A Infielder Recalled

The Cleveland Guardians just took another hit. Outfielder Lane Thomas landed on the injured list for the third time this season.

This time, it’s plantar fasciitis in his right foot. The 29-year-old just can’t seem to catch a break, and it’s making the team’s roster decisions a mess.

Infielder Will Wilson got the call from Triple-A Columbus to fill Thomas’ spot, at least for now. The Guardians keep scrambling for consistency and depth, but it’s been rough.

Lane Thomas’ Injury Woes Continue

Guardians fans hoped Lane Thomas would bounce back and provide some offense. Instead, he’s back on the injured list with plantar fasciitis—yes, the same issue that knocked him out earlier this year.

This injury will keep him out through the All-Star break. He’ll have about two weeks to heal, but who knows if that’s enough?

Thomas hasn’t had much luck staying on the field. He missed 28 games early on after a wrist bruise in the home opener.

Then, in May, plantar fasciitis flared up again and cost him another 11 games. Manager Stephen Vogt admitted that Thomas’ constant absences have made it tough to keep the roster stable.

Offensive Struggles Add to the Challenge

Even when Thomas plays, he’s struggled at the plate. In 142 plate appearances, he’s batting just .160 with four home runs and 11 RBIs.

He’s struck out 44 times and only managed four stolen bases. Not exactly what you want to see in a contract year, right before free agency.

Sure, maybe the injuries have thrown him off, but the Guardians can’t ignore how much his production has dipped. They’re facing a tough call on whether his health or his numbers are the bigger issue heading into free agency.

Will Wilson Gets Another Shot

To fill the roster gap, the Guardians brought back Will Wilson from Triple-A Columbus. He played 24 games earlier this season, but only hit .176.

Wilson’s not an outfielder, but he can handle multiple infield spots. For now, that flexibility is enough.

Why Chase DeLauter Wasn’t Called Up

It’s interesting that the Guardians didn’t call up outfielder Chase DeLauter, one of their top prospects. His potential is obvious, but team officials worry about his medical history.

They’re clearly playing it safe, choosing long-term health over a quick fix. Maybe it’s the right move, considering how many injuries they’re already juggling.

What’s Next for Cleveland?

The All-Star break gives Thomas a little extra time to recover, which isn’t the worst timing. Still, losing another outfielder just adds to the team’s headaches in a season full of ups and downs.

Manager Stephen Vogt will use this break to reassess and figure out how to approach the second half. Maybe that’ll help, maybe not.

Key Questions Moving Forward

The Guardians have some big questions looming as they head into the back half of 2023:

• Can Lane Thomas actually get healthy and turn things around?
• Will Will Wilson take this chance and stick in the majors?
• Are there any options left to boost the offense without draining their depth even further?
• What’s the long-term plan for Thomas with free agency on the horizon?

Final Thoughts

Injuries hit every professional sports team, but they sometimes reveal bigger cracks in the roster. The Cleveland Guardians have felt this with Lane Thomas missing time and struggling at the plate.

That situation has really shown just how shaky their depth is, and how much they lean on players who aren’t getting it done. It’s been a rough year, no doubt.

They’ll need someone unexpected, like Will Wilson, to step up if they want a shot at saving the season. The All-Star break can’t come soon enough for Cleveland—they could use a reset and maybe a bit of luck for the rest of the year.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Guardians outfielder heads back to the injured list for third time, Triple-A infielder recalled