Two impact players will be returning to the Cleveland Guardians’ lineup, as RHP Aaron Civale (glute) and DH/OF Franmil Reyes (hamstring) will be activated from the injured list.
Civale came back in Tuesday’s game vs. the Minnesota Twins. He made his second rehab start for Triple-A Columbus last Wednesday, recording seven strikeouts and one unearned run across 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander struggled through the first months of the 2022 season, posting a 2-3 record with a 7.84 ERA. His most recent Major League start came on May 20, when he pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings vs. the Detroit Tigers before exiting the game with glute tightness.
Reyes also took to the field Tuesday after a successful rehab assignment, where he hit .429 with two home runs and six RBIs for Columbus. The six-foot-five power hitter struggled mightily at the plate before his injury, hitting just .195 with two home runs and 57 strikeouts in 133 at-bats.
The red-hot Guardians hope to see both players return to form as they continue take on the division-leading Twins at Target Field. Civale can be an anchor for the Guardians’ young rotation, who has been extremely effective throughout the month of June; the Guardians currently hold the sixth-best team ERA in all of baseball (3.57).
Offensively, Reyes could add much needed power to their lineup, which, despite being middle-of-the-pack in most categories, sits at a lackluster 27th in the Majors in home runs. Star 3B Jose Ramirez currently leads the team in home runs with 16, nine more than any other player on the team.
LHP Konnor Pilkington has been demoted to Triple-A to make room for Civale’s return. Additionally, to make room for Reyes and Civale on the 26-man roster, outfielder Óscar Mercado has been designated for assignment, as he is out of minor-league options. Reliever Nick Sandlin was also sent down to Triple-A Columbus.
The post Civale, Reyes Return appeared first on Cleveland Sports Talk.
Leave a Reply