As the Cleveland Indians continue their quest for a fourth straight postseason, they'll be without one of their key contributors.
On Saturday, the Indians announced that outfielder Tyler Naquin will miss the remainder of the 2019 season with a torn ACL. Naquin suffered the injury, which was initially diagnosed as a knee sprain, crashing into the wall while making a spectacular catch in Cleveland's 4-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.
After spending the better part of the previous two years in the minor leagues following his rookie season in 2016, the 28-year-old Naquin had quietly become one of Cleveland's most consistent contributors this year. Appearing in 89 games, the outfielder compiled a .288 batting average (.792 OPS) to go along with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs.
As a result of the injury, the Indians have recalled Jake Bauers from Triple-A Columbus. Acquired from Tampa Bay in a three-way trade also involving the Seattle Mariners, the 23-year-old Bauers opened the season as a regular in the Indians lineup playing both left field and third base. Inconsistencies -- he hit for a .233 average (.687 OPS) with 11 home runs and 39 RBIs in 100 games -- however, made him expendable when Cleveland acquired outfielders Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes at the MLB Trade Deadline.
In 24 games with Columbus, the left-handed Bauers hit for .247 (.776 OPS) with 3 home runs and 15 RBIs.
Following Friday night's loss to Tampa Bay, the Indians find themselves 4.5 games back of the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central and a half-game ahead of the Oakland Athletics and 1.5 games ahead of the Rays for the top A.L. Wild Card spot.
Cleveland will face Tampa Bay in the second matchup of a three-game series at 6:10 p.m. on Saturday.
