Oscar Gonzalez makes his return while Franmil Reyes is designated for assignment

After missing just over a month of action with an intercostal strain, and serving a small stint with the Akron RubberDucks on a rehab assignment, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Oscar Gonzalez has returned to action in the majors.

Through his 139 at-bats this season, Gonzalez has slashed a solid .288/.315/.446 with three home runs, 13 doubles, and 16 RBIs, proving that the young prospect deserves to keep his spot on the roster as long as he stays consistent.

With Gonzalez back from his injury, it left the Guardians with the need to make room for him on the roster, and in turn, Franmil Reyes was sent to Triple-A after Cleveland was unable to move him at the trade deadline. And on Saturday, he was designated for assignment, effectively ending his time with the Guardians.

Through roughly three seasons with the Guardians, the expectations going into Reyes’ fourth year were that his play would continue to be consistent.

And that definitely was not something outlandish to think.

He batted .254 with a career-high 85 RBIs in 2021, and in 2020 he had a career-high .275 batting average.

Reyes being designated for assignment showcased that Cleveland is not afraid to move lackluster and inconsistent players to the minors in order to give promising prospects opportunities.

Unfortunately for Reyes, he is having arguably his most subpar season yet, hitting only .213/.254/.350 in 280 at-bats for the Guardians. He had just nine doubles, nine home runs, and 28 RBIs, with his most notable stat line being his 104 strikeouts, which accounts for a 37% strikeout rate.

In Triple-A, he has struggled so far as well.

Through 12 at-bats, he has one hit, one double, one RBI, four strikeouts, and two runs to his name.

The Cleveland Guardians front office initially moved Reyes to Triple-A in the hope of him turning his season around, and potentially try to expand his role on the field. With the most recent influx of injuries and inconsistencies in the majors, the chance for him to be slotted at first base in the minors would make sense in order to see where else he can play.

At this rate, however, the likelihood of Franmil Reyes playing another at-bat in the majors for the Cleveland Guardians seems unlikely.