Days after getting outfielder Michael Brantley back from the disabled list, the Indians have learned that they’ll be without right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall for four to six weeks. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com first tweeted the timetable, which came from the mouth of Indians manager Terry Francona. Chisenhall left Saturday’s game against the Royals early, and was officially placed on the disabled list early this morning (the club recalled Tyler Naquin to take his place in right field for the time being).
It’s an upsetting development for the Tribe, who saw Chisenhall miss significant time last season with the same issue. The re-aggravation of the injury during a seemingly routine few innings in right field doesn’t bode well for Chisenhall’s 2018 season. The timing is also unfortunate for him financially, as he’s set to become a free agent this winter and would like to erase the injury concerns from the memories of potential suitors.
Chisenhall was a notable beneficiary of the fly ball revolution last season, as he decreased his ground ball rate from 23.9% in 2016 to just 15.8% in 2017, and correspondingly increased his line drive rate and fly ball rate by four percentage points apiece. That adjustment resulted in a career-best .288/.360/.520 batting line. The Indians will certainly be hoping they can get his bat back in the lineup on the shorter end of the injury timetable.
lilpartialbaldo
Calf strain? The initial report on local radio last night was Low T
Solaris601
And this is exactly why CLE needs to resolve not to bring him back after this year even at a deep discount. Year in, year out this man spends significant time on the DL. Can’t imagine Tribe would get much back in a trade, so they need to just give him a gold watch and bid farewell this winter.
Polish Hammer
Calf strain, same injury last season, concussion last season and left wrist impingement two seasons ago. He’s not missing as much time as you think. He’s missed a handful of MLB games while hurt, on injury rehabs and while down in the minors. It’s not like they have Giancarlo Stanton money invested in a guy that has freak injuries and misses time.
Thomas.Swanson
Typical year for the Indians……Chisenhall on the DL and Brantley will soon follow. The Glass Man will be back next year because they are a terrible origination
Burgeezy
Such a hater bro
Thomas.Swanson
Sorry if my honesty comes across as hate.. Prove me wrong.
Kyle Downing
Saving this
sufferforsnakes
At least you’re apologizing for being a hater.
Thomas.Swanson
Sorry you can’t handle the truth…..you will see I am usually right
camdenyards46
You mean the organization who won the pennant two years ago and 100 games last year
Thomas.Swanson
I mean the organization that has not won anything since 1948……the Twins will win the Central this year and then the Indians fall back to 3rd in 2019 and back to the basement in 2020 and beyond…..same excuses by the same tired organization.
Polish Hammer
Then find somebody else to root for.
Thomas.Swanson
Never said I root for them, just being honest…..get used to being the cellar dwellers again real soon.
Burgeezy
I think a team friendly 1 year deal would be a useful stop-gap for the Indians and make sense for Chiz. Injuries are part of the game. I doubt they retain Brantley and we could use some outfield depth next season.
FMTRIBE
Milky or Yandy. What are they waiting for
ohiodevil 2
Who’s milky?
sufferforsnakes
Just waiting for Greg Allen to be called up.
Polish Hammer
Or Mejia
Thomas.Swanson
Why would he be called up? He’s a catcher.
Polish Hammer
That they’ve been using other places to get his bat in the lineup. This team needs a bat, nobody has been hitting.
Thomas.Swanson
Nah, he is terrible in the field…..they’ll end up trading him this deadline for another player who will walk after the season.
BrandonGregory74
If you’re talking about Diaz or Mejia, that’s their future.