Francisco Lindor's 2019 debut figures to be delayed even longer after he injured his left ankle Tuesday in a minor league game.
The Indians said their shortstop suffered an "acute ankle sprain" while running the bases and did not offer a timetable for his potential return.
MRI shows mild to moderate sprain of left ankle for Lindor. Possible return unknown. Still rehabbing from strained right calf. Injured in rundown between first and second base.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) March 27, 2019
Lindor did not play in a major league spring training game this year as he spent his time recovering from a right calf strain he sustained shortly before camp opened. He saw his first minor league game action Monday in Arizona.
While the Indians already knew Lindor would not be ready on Opening Day, this new setback certainly won't help matters — particularly with his middle infield opposite number Jason Kipnis also set to open on the injured list with a calf injury.
Lindor hasn't had many injury issues in his brief but stellar MLB career, missing only 10 games total the last three seasons and leading the AL in plate appearances the last two years (and the majors overall last season with 745).
Eric Stamets is expected to open the season as Cleveland's starting shortstop. The 27-year-old has never played in the majors and had a .202/.272/.324 slash line at Triple-A Columbus last season.
