Injuries & Moves: Freeman (oblique) removed from ALDS roster
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Oct. 7: INF/OF Tyler Freeman removed from ALDS roster with left oblique strain; INF/OF Angel Martínez added
Freeman felt some pain in his oblique when he was hitting in the batting cages during the team's workout on Sunday. When he stepped into the batter's box to hit off of Ben Lively in a live at-bat, the pain grew, which led to the team having to run some tests. When it was revealed that he strained the muscle, the Guardians submitted a request to Major League Baseball to replace him with Martínez. More >>
Oct. 5: RHP Alex Cobb reinstated from the IL to join ALDS roster; RHP Nick Sandlin, RHP Pedro Avila, RHP Ben Lively and INF Angel Martínez left off
Cobb was cleared to join the ALDS roster after battling a blister issue on his throwing hand for the last month. He'll get the ball in Game 3. To cut down the 28-man roster that ended the regular season to the required 26 for postseason play and to add infielder Tyler Freeman into the mix, the Guardians chose to leave Sandlin, Avila, Lively and Martínez off the ALDS roster.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
60-DAY IL
LHP Sam Hentges (left shoulder injury)
Expected return: 2026
After spending parts of August and September getting a handful of different opinions from different doctors, Hentges determined that the best route for him is surgery. He's scheduled to repair an injury to his capsule and labrum on Sept. 18 and the recovery window is expected to be 12-14 months, which likely means he'll miss all of the 2025 season. (Last updated: Sept. 11)
RHP James Karinchak (right shoulder fatigue)
Expected return: TBD
Karinchak was sent on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Columbus after touching as high as 93 mph while pitching at the club’s facility in Goodyear, Ariz. Karinchak reported to Spring Training with right shoulder fatigue and has been working his way back ever since. (Last updated: Sept. 6)
RHP Daniel Espino (right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff injury; No. 10 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)