Tribe fans have a big reason to smile.
The Indians activated Francisco Lindor from the injured list Saturday after the All-Star shortstop had missed the season's first 18 games with various ailments. The 25-year-old played three games this past week in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus, going 5-for-12 with two home runs.
The Indians are scheduled to play a traditional doubleheader this afternoon against the Atlanta Braves after Friday night's contest was rained out. Lindor is not in the starting lineup for the first game (Max Moroff will play at short), but is widely expected to be available for game two.
Lindor has emerged as one of the best players in baseball since breaking in with Cleveland in 2015, and last year led the majors in runs scored (129), set career-highs in OPS (.871) home runs (38) RBIs (92) and bWAR (7.9), and tallied 14 defensive runs saved. The efforts helped the team win its third straight American League Central division title.
Lindor's 2019 injury troubles began just before spring training, when he was diagnosed with a strained calf muscle that kept him out of action throughout most of March. The club announced he would begin the regular season on the 10-day injured list with an expectation to be brought up in a short time, but he suffered a setback when he sprained an ankle during a minor league rehab game. A hodgepodge of utility infielders (Moroff, Eric Stamets, Mike Freeman) have been filling in at short in the meantime.
To make room for Lindor on the active roster, designated hitter Haley Ramirez was designated for assignment. The 35-year-old former All-Star made the team out of spring training after singing a minor league contract, but had a slash line of just .184/.298/.327 in 16 games.
