Hamstring strain sends Naquin to DL

Zimmer still sore after crash into wall last weekend

May 12th, 2018

CLEVELAND -- The Indians' outfield has endured a series of setbacks this season, and two more arrived prior to Saturday's 6-2 win over the Royals at Progressive Field.
After placing right fielder on the 10-day disabled list with a mild left hamstring strain, the Indians scratched center fielder from the starting lineup due to a bruised chest. The good news is that Zimmer could be back on the field as soon as Sunday. Naquin will need more time to recover from the injury he sustained during Friday's 10-9 loss to Kansas City.
"Hopefully, when the 10 days [are] up, [Naquin] feels great," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "I don't think anybody ever quite knows. He showed up today and he was a little tight."
Naquin injured his hamstring while rounding first after a two-run double in the fourth inning on Friday night. He pulled up around first and limped into second, but initially remained in the game following a brief discussion on the field with Francona and a member of the team's medical staff. Naquin thought it was a cramp at first, but an MRI following his exit revealed the mild strain.
Zimmer is still feeling the effects of a violent crash into the wall in center field at Yankee Stadium during a 5-2 loss to New York on May 5. Zimmer was in the original lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals, but was removed after still experiencing soreness while swinging a bat. With Naquin and Zimmer out, got the nod in right and manned center.

Naquin's injury comes during a strong stretch for the outfielder, who headed into Saturday tied for second among MLB right fielders with five Defensive Runs Saved. Through 30 games, Naquin owns a .333 average with an .820 OPS, and he's hit at a .417 clip with a 1.065 OPS over his last nine contests.
"The wins we've had," Francona said, "he's been right in the middle of them."
After placing Naquin on the 10-day DL, the Tribe activated left-hander from MLB's paternity list.
Quotable
"We stay pretty true to [what] I really believe: You show up today and you try to win today. That's the best way to do anything. I've always felt that way. We are getting tested, though. But, it can be fun to try to answer the question, yes? Sometimes, when you're a little beat up or things aren't going right, you can get an immense amount of joy in trying to do things right. Sometimes, you feel like you're against the world a little bit, but then that's sometimes when teams come together and you can shine a little bit." -- Francona, on the Tribe's tough start to the season
Worth noting
's costly throwing error in the sixth inning of Friday's 10-9 loss to the Royals marked the shortstop's fifth error in a span of eight games. Francona was asked if he ever worries about that kind of rough patch getting into a fielder's head.
"I have in the past. Not with Frankie," Francona said. "He's a tough kid. He'll be just fine. Nobody wants to make errors -- and it hurts out chances to win -- but he'll be just fine."
• Veteran outfielder , who signed a Minor League contract with the Indians, is 5-for-22 (.227) with two doubles through five games with Triple-A Columbus. Francona said Cabrera still needs to get at-bats -- similar to Spring Training -- prior to possibly joining the Indians.
"The hard thing is, he's got 20 at-bats," Francona said. "Man, you know, you look at like the guys that miss Spring Training, that's a reach. At some point, do you have to reach? I don't know, but I'd like to let him play a little bit."