Guardians make ALDS roster adjustment ahead of Game 2

The first game of the American League Divison Series between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers is in the books, but a personnel change is on the way for the AL Central Champions.

Tyler Freeman has been replaced on Cleveland's roster by Angel Martinez. Freeman has a strained left oblique, which came during a sim game, and is not able to play at this time. The 25-year-old did not appear in Cleveland's 7-0 win over Detroit on Saturday.

While the starting lineup of the Cleveland Guardians is unlikely to be impacted by this move, how manager Stephen Vogt will use to deploy as a late-game replacement and who that person is. It does not seem like much, but this does change how certain players will be handled.

With Freeman now out of the mix, the Guardians have only one other player besides Brayan Rocchio who can handle shortstop. Daniel Schneemann. Going from two options who can play short to just one could end up limiting any playing time that Schneemann gets, considering that they need someone to play shortstop if needed. Of course, a double switch could be used if both shortstop options are on the field at the same time, and Rocchio needs to be removed for one reason or another. But it would probably be best not to leave anything like this to chance and have a reserve infielder ready to go if necessary.

Despite the positional versatility taking a hit with Freeman no longer being on the Guardians' ALDS roster, the offense could get a nice little boost with Martinez taking his place. Martinez appears to be a more rounded hitter than Freeman, and his ability to switch-hit gives the Guardians an advantage no matter who Detroit has on the mound.

Is making a last-second roster move ideal? Obviously, the answer is no, but it is better for it to take place early on in a postseason run and with someone who is not an everyday player.