Indians’ Lindor out indefinitely with ankle injury

Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor is out indefinitely with an acute ankle sprain. The team announced the news Wednesday.

Lindor has emerged as one of the best players in baseball. He hit .277 in 2018 while setting career-highs in homers (38), RBI (92), runs (129), stolen bases (25) and OPS (.871). He had a WAR of 7.9, per Baseball-Reference, while playing in his third All-Star Game and winning his second Silver Slugger at shortstop. He was also a Gold Glove winner in 2016.

Few players offer both Lindor’s pop at the plate and his defensive prowess at a position of demand like shortstop. For that reason, he was ranked as the fourth-best player in baseball entering the 2019 season, per MLB Network.

It also makes him uniquely difficult to replace. While he’s out of action, Max Moroff will step into the shortstop role, though he doesn’t offer the upside that Lindor brings to the table.  Cleveland’s offense will absolutely miss Lindor’s blend of speed and power, and if he’s forced to miss a significant chunk of time, the team may need to make a move on the trade market. The hope in Cleveland will be that Lindor can be back at 100 percent before long.

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According to the team, an MRI test on Lindor’s ankle found a mild to moderate acute sprain. The three-time All-Star was previously ruled out for the opener because of the calf strain he suffered in early February. Because the timetable for that injury had not yet been finalized by the team’s medical staff, Lindor’s return from the ankle sprain was still being determined.

“I watched it on tape. He walked off the field,” Francona said. “But they’re trying to put their heads together to get some more information.” In the meantime, Leonys Martin will likely bat leadoff in Lindor’s place. Rookie Eric Stamets will take Lindor’s spot in the middle of the infield, where second baseman Jason Kipnis will also be missing when the Indians face the Twins for three games starting Thursday. Kipnis has a strained right calf muscle, too, with Brad Miller and Max Moroff available to fill in.

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