Injuries & Moves: J. Naylor back in lineup at DH
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Aug. 31: 1B Josh Naylor back in lineup at DH
A day after leaving the Guardians' game on Aug. 30 with a left ankle bruise, Naylor was back in Cleveland’s lineup as the DH on Aug. 31.
Naylor sustained the injury when he twisted his ankle after swinging in the eighth on Friday.
“He’s good,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “He responded really well to treatment and feels a lot better. We don’t want to expose him to defense just yet and have something bad happen.”
Naylor finished Friday's game 3-for-5, marking his second straight three-hit game.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Alex Cobb (nail fracture)
Expected return: September 1
After missing two weeks with a nail fracture, Cobb is expected to start for the Guardians on Sept. 1, as long as he continues to recover well from his live batting practice session on Aug. 27. If Cobb does start, he’ll do so without needing a rehab assignment.
Cobb made two starts after coming over in a Trade Deadline deal with the Giants before landing on the IL with a nail fracture on his throwing hand. (Last updated: Aug. 30)
RHP Carlos Carrasco (hip strain)
Expected return: September
Carrasco is expected to throw a simulated game on Aug. 28. He sustained a hip strain in his start on Aug. 7 against the D-backs. In 21 starts this season, Carrasco is 3-10 with a 5.64 ERA. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
60-DAY IL
LHP Sam Hentges (left shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Hentges' season is effectively over after the Guardians transferred him to the 60-day IL on Aug. 20, a week after he received a second opinion on his ongoing shoulder issues. He will receive a third opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Neither the Guardians nor manager Stephen Vogt provided a prognosis for the veteran left-hander, but it's clearly serious enough to shut down any chance of him returning in 2024.
Hentges, who began the season on the IL and didn't debut until May due to left middle finger inflammation, recorded a 3.04 ERA over 23 2/3 innings (25 appearances) this year. He landed on the IL for the second time on July 12 after experiencing left shoulder fatigue. (Last updated: Aug. 25)
RHP James Karinchak (right shoulder fatigue)
Expected return: TBD
Karinchak reported to camp with right shoulder fatigue. He was given the green light to begin a throwing program on March 11, but has not made much progress since then. The Guardians are not sure if he will pitch in 2024. He's been in Arizona, but the quality and shape of his pitches have not looked like they have in the past. (Last updated: July 25)
RHP Daniel Espino (right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff injury; No. 12 on Guardians Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: 2025
Espino underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff injuries on March 13. He's expected to stay in Goodyear, Ariz., to work through his rehab. Although the Guardians don't have a firm timetable on when he may return to action, the team does not expect him to pitch during the 2024 season. (Last updated: May 15)
RHP Shane Bieber (right elbow injury)
Expected return: 2025
Bieber was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 10, and there's no return in sight for Cleveland's ace. He wasn't bouncing back as well as he is used to after his Opening Day start and elbow pain persisted throughout his outing in Seattle.
Bieber underwent imaging that revealed the same problems with his UCL that he had last year. He underwent UCL surgery on April 12. (Last updated: April 13)
RHP Trevor Stephan (UCL surgery)
Expected return: 2025
When Stephan's elbow was examined for discomfort on Feb. 28, a deep bone bruise was discovered. But after it continued to nag him, other opinions were needed. It was determined that his UCL is not providing adequate stability, which caused even more pain in the elbow.
Stephan underwent surgery on March 27 and was given a 12 to 16 month timetable for recovery. (Last updated: March 28)