Francisco Lindor could miss Indians' Opening Day with strained right calf
There’s one more question mark for the Cleveland Indians as spring training approaches.
The team announced Friday afternoon that shortstop Francisco Lindor suffered a right calf strain while preparing for spring training. It’s a moderate strain, according to Amanda Bell at MLB.com, and he’ll be out seven-to-nine weeks. It puts his spot in the Opening Day lineup in jeopardy.
Francisco Lindor has sustained a right calf strain while preparing for ST. He has started rehab & is expected to return to Major League game activity in 7-to-9 weeks.
Get well soon & keep smiling!
We are confident that everyone will handle this news calmly & rationally … pic.twitter.com/x19uXFClGC
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) February 8, 2019
Bell reports that Lindor, 25, started the rehab process already after visiting a doctor Wednesday. The team will examine him daily this spring, per the report.
Lindor is slated to return somewhere between March 27 and April 10. Cleveland opens its season March 28 at the Minnesota Twins. His rehab would have to be exactly on schedule to hopefully, maybe start at shortstop on Opening Day.
Calmly and rationally, everyone.
Cleveland’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive American League Central title will fall largely at Lindor’s feet after the team cut payroll this offseason and let go of key players.
Lindor is a three-time All-Star with two Silver Slugger awards and one Gold Glove. In 2015, he finished second in AL Rookie of the Year votes and has a career .288/.350/.487 slash line.
A report earlier this week indicated the team may be trying to push Lindor out. He hits free agency in a few years.
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