CLEVELAND -- As the Cleveland Indians neared the end of Spring Training, it appeared that if Francisco Lindor was going to miss any time to start the 2019 season, it wouldn't be much.
And although the sprained ankle suffered by Lindor wasn't a major setback, it appears the Indians will have to wait a little longer to get their 3-time All-Star shortstop back in the lineup.
On Tuesday, Cleveland team president Chris Antonetti confirmed to WTAM 1100 that Lindor will be out until the end of April as he continues to recover from a sprained ankle he suffered in the final week of Spring Training. Currently, no timetable has been set for the 2-time Silver Slugger's return.
Although he failed to appear in any of the Indians' Cactus League contests as he recovered from a calf strain suffered prior to the start of Spring Training, Lindor appeared to be making strong progress as the regular season neared. Just prior to the close of camp, Lindor appeared optimistic that any time he would miss to start the 2019 campaign would be minimal at most.
"I want to play. I want to play this game. That's why I'm here. I want to help my team," Lindor said in Arizona. "That's why they [the trainers] are good at what they do. They can slow people down to make sure they don't rush it. The goal is not Opening Day. The goal is to be there for a full season and help my team in the playoffs."
Lindor's status, however, once again became cloudy after he suffered a sprained ankle in an intrasquad game with the Indians' minor league teams in the final week of Sprain Training. On Monday, as Cleveland beat the Chicago White Sox 5-3 in its home opener, the 25-year-old flew to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to meet with a specialist to evaluate his status.
An official timeline from the Indians is expected to be provided on Wednesday.
Without Lindor in the lineup, Cleveland's offense has struggled throughout its 2-2 start to the 2019 campaign. Through four games, the Indians rank 27th in runs (10) and 29th in batting average (.164), as they trot out a lineup short on both production and experience.
In the absence of Lindor and second baseman Jason Kipnis -- who is recovering from a calf strain of his own -- Cleveland has relied upon the trio of Eric Stamets, Brad Miller and Max Moroff to fill its middle infield positions.