Cleveland Indians to Activate Lonnie Chisenhall on Wednesday

Cleveland Indians to Activate Chisenhall on Wednesday

Before yesterday’s game, manager Terry Francona announced that the Cleveland Indians plan on activating outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall from the 15-day disabled list this Wednesday.

Chisenhall has been on a rehab assignment the last few days, spending time at Triple-A and Double-A. He was placed on the disabled list at the end of spring training after a wrist injury slowed him down. The Indians had recently said they didn’t want to rush the process of his return and wanted him to be “ready” before being activated. This was likely said in regards to the struggles Chisenhall had in spring training (he went just 2 for 26 in Cactus League games) and the struggles he’s shown on his rehab (he’s 1 for 15). 

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The last test for Chisenhall will be playing today in right field for the Akron Rubberducks and then again tomorrow as the designated hitter. If all goes well both days he will be activated before the Tribe’s game against the Mariners on Wednesday.  Chisenhall’s bat may not excite fans too much, especially given his struggles but his defensive presence in right field against right-handed hitters could be a huge lift to the Tribe. In less than half a season in right field in 2015, Chisenhall rated as the best defensive right fielder in the American League with 11 defensive runs saved (DRS) and fourth-best in all of baseball.

It remains to be seen who the Cleveland Indians will send out to make room for Chisenhall. It could be an outfielder such as Collin Cowgill or Tyler Naquin or perhaps they’ll send out one of their extra pitchers and go with a more traditional four-man bench, seven-man bullpen setup…

Brantley Inching Closer to Return As Well

In addition to Chisenhall returning this week, some big news with fellow outfielder Michael Brantley and his rehab dropped over the weekend. Brantley could play in back-to-back games for the first time this year this coming weekend, a huge step for him as he looks to get back to Cleveland as quickly as possible. This is the last big hurdle for Brantley as he looks to get that shoulder back to full strength. If all goes well and there are no issues/soreness after back-to-back games then Brantley will have little standing in his way to return to Cleveland.

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Brantley’s return may be the biggest key to the early part of the Tribe’s season. The offense has weathered the storm with him out and the club is playing .500 ball with him out, but it’s hard to expect the team to be a playoff contender with one of their best all-around players and arguably best bat out of the lineup. They need him back and hitting like his old self if they want to win what’s turning out to be a very strong American League Central.  If all goes well this weekend and early next week, there’s a chance we could see Brantley before the month is out and what a boost that will be…