CLEVELAND: Indians outfielder Tyler Naquin has spent the season making the most of the opportunities he’s been given. They’ve been offered in spurts, and each time Naquin has responded.
Two of those chances were unlocked thanks to Indians outfielders failing drug tests. The first was Abraham Almonte in the spring, which led to Naquin’s spot on the Opening Day roster after a strong showing in spring training. The second came last week, when Marlon Byrd was suspended for 162 games for a second failed test. And there was a third promotion and demotion in-between.
Naquin’s defense has left something to be desired in center field. The Indians have admitted as much and that he’s learning on the job. He’s also hit above .300 every step of the way. Overall, he’s hitting .351 with a .392 on-base percentage and now he’s added some power, hitting home runs in three consecutive games.
He hit his first career home run Friday night, an opposite-field shot. Then he hit his second to right-center on Saturday.
On Sunday, he blasted a home run to the second deck in right field, the first Indians player to reach that part of the ballpark this season.
He waited his whole life to hit a major-league home run. Then he did it three consecutive days. For a rookie trying to stay at the big-league level, the first homer might have been a weight off his shoulders.
“I think that happens sometimes,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “Guys relax a bit. He hit the home run the other day and relaxed a bit. He’s showing some production at the bottom of the order. That’s what is really helpful. When we can get production throughout the order, that really helps.”
Naquin has logged plenty of miles on I-71 between Cleveland and Columbus. It’s not always the easiest transition to make, particular for a player who has been hitting well.
“Man, we’re only human. You just have to go and continue to play hard wherever you’re at, whether it’s Columbus or up here in the big leagues,” Naquin said. “I love being here. I love being here and being a part of this team. I think we’re going to win a lot of ballgames. It’s shown lately.”
With Byrd suspended and Michael Brantley still rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall have increased opportunities. So far, both have been responding.
For Naquin, it’s a third chance to show he belongs.
Concern level rising?
Brantley has never had a clear timetable for his return. With him now making his third attempt to return to the lineup and stay in it, the Indians have said they won’t use a timetable at all for Brantley. The level of concern could now be on the rise.
Per a report by Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan, the Indians are worried Brantley could miss a “significant” amount of time.
Brantley had surgery on his nonthrowing (right) shoulder in November. He was expected to miss roughly the first month of the season but progressed so quickly that he appeared in two Cactus League games in March. Soreness in his shoulder stopped that momentum and put him on the disabled list to start the year.
He then returned, but it was a similar story. After 11 games with the Indians, Brantley was shut down again and then received an anti-inflammatory shot.
Now, the third attempt. Francona, Brantley and Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti have all said the goal is for Brantley to return when he’ll be able to stay in the lineup for the rest of the season.
For now, they’re still playing the waiting game with one of the top outfielders in the league and a key part to the middle of the lineup.
The question of when Brantley might return has only grown murkier.
Salazar scratched
Starting pitcher Danny Salazar will not make his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners because of shoulder fatigue. Salazar will be pushed back to Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels.
Cody Anderson (1-3, 6.81) will be called up from Triple-A Columbus to start Tuesday and Tuesday’s scheduled starter Carlos Carrasco will now pitch Wednesday against the Mariners.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ