Cleveland Indians: Outfield injuries keeping door open for several players

The Cleveland Indians have seen much of the outfield injured in 2017, opening the door for others to step in and earn a starting spot.

After a year in which injuries took a toll on the team, Cleveland Indians fans are seeing a similar pattern emerge in 2017. Specifically, among members of the outfield.

In an odd turn of events, Michael Brantley is the only member of the Opening Day outfield to not spend time on the disabled list this season, as even Tyler Naquin hit the DL once being sent down to Columbus.

Lonnie Chisenhall, Austin Jackson, Abraham Almonte and Brandon Guyer have all spent time injured this season, while Jackson is the only one of the four currently healthy.

That has left Brantley as the only constant, but it has opened the door for other players to prove themselves this year.

Daniel Robertson and Bradley Zimmer are the two who stand out currently, as they have been brought up from Triple-A Columbus after all the injuries. Zimmer is the organization’s top prospect, but that doesn’t mean Robertson isn’t out to prove he belongs as well.

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The injuries have shaken up what could have been some early roster moves, as the decision to call-up Zimmer may have caused a veteran, such as Guyer or Jackson, to be let go.

The latest injury to Chisenhall has delayed the need to make a roster move, but it would appear that Robertson will be the first one to go. He has had some great highlights on defense, but his line of .200/.333/.333 won’t be enough to keep him up with the club.

The Indians could choose to keep Robertson, but it would mean sending a pitcher down, and Terry Francona seems to favor his eight-man bullpen.

But it is too early to assume Chisenhall will even be back next week, as concussions are a tricky issue that need to be taken care of with great caution. More injuries could also occur, so it is always difficult to speculate.

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Yet given the way Zimmer has played in his short time with the club, there may not be room for Jackson, Guyer and Almonte once all three are healthy. Every day Zimmer plays builds his case, as the potential of the rookie may outweigh that of the veterans.