The Cleveland Guardians haven’t gotten much production from Lane Thomas this season.
The veteran outfielder has struggled mightily even when he’s been on the field.
Fortunately for him, he’s trending in the right direction, and it shouldn’t be much longer before he gets another chance to make an impact.
Thomas is reportedly making big strides in his recovery from plantar fasciitis, and he’s back to running and engaging in some drills and baseball activities:
“I’ve been doing some running on the weight bearing treadmill and some baseball activities,” said Thomas. “I’ve been doing some throwing and hitting.”
He’s been dealing with that injury on his right foot for a little over a month now.
The 29-year-old has been on the Injured List (IL) three times already this season; twice for foot injuries and once for a wrist injury.
He’s made just 142 plate appearances so far this season, slashing .160/.246/.272 with four home runs, 11 RBI, 10 runs scored, and four stolen bases.
That’s a far cry from his .250/.309/.428 slash line with 60 home runs and 60 stolen bases in the past three seasons combined.
He’s now aiming for a September return, assuming there are no setbacks.
Hopefully, that return will also come with his usual form, as he can be too valuable for a team that’s looking to keep the momentum going and the playoff hopes alive.
The Guardians are now facing the most crucial stretch of the season, and he will have a major chance to redeem himself and contribute when it matters most.
The team may have already found a suitable replacement for him, but you can never have too much depth, and you always need veterans who can come through in big moments.
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