The Cleveland Guardians were without center fielder Lane Thomas for a full month, from late April until last week, when he was finally activated after battling a bone bruise on his right wrist.
After a brief return to the big league roster, he started missing games again this week.
It was revealed on Wednesday that he is dealing with a case of plantar fasciitis and was discussing the future steps with the organization.
The Guardians have now spoken: Thomas is returning to the injured list.
“Lane Thomas has been placed on the 10-day IL with right foot plantar fasciitis (backdated to May 27). Corresponding move expected on Saturday,” Tim Stebbins of MLB.com wrote on X.
Lane Thomas has been placed on the 10-day IL with right foot plantar fasciitis (backdated to May 27).
Corresponding move expected on Saturday.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) May 30, 2025
Plantar fasciitis is a very painful injury that often limits players’ mobility.
Thomas, being a base-stealing threat and a center fielder, which is the position that depends the most on range and speed, needs to be able to move freely and gracefully.
He wasn’t going to do it with such a painful, nagging injury.
Take Brandon Nimmo’s case for example: he was limited by a case of plantar fasciitis and could barely move in the postseason last year.
The New York Mets star started feeling symptoms in the second half and still had some discomfort in January.
It could take a while for Thomas to return, let alone resemble his best version.
The Guardians can’t replace him with Will Brennan, since he is on the injured list, too.
Some of the options they have at this point are Johnathan Rodriguez, C.J. Kayfus, Petey Halpin, and yes, Chase DeLauter.
A move is expected to come on Saturday, per Stebbins.
NEXT: Steven Kwan Returns To The Guardians Lineup After Injury Scare
