Who is Coming Up for Lane Thomas? A Guardians Mystery

They aren’t giving us any clues

Lane Thomas is headed to the injured list and the team will be replacing him. But, no one knows yet who that replacement will be.

Every player on the 40-man roster in Columbus played in tonight’s Clippers’ game:

Brayan Rocchio, David Fry, Petey Halpin, and Johnathan Rodriguez all played (all also got hits).

Fan darlings CJ Kayfus and Chase DeLauter also played.

On the Selby is GodCast Discord, the Athletic’s Zack Meisel said he would be “stunned” if it was Will Brennan, as he doesn’t seem to think Brennan is ready yet.

I think it is likely the decision to IL Lane Thomas was late, right before the game, and the decision makers want to have one last meeting of the minds before the final decision is made, so Andy Tracy, Columbus’s manager was told to proceed with his lineup plans as normal. There is plenty of time for a Clippers player to sleep in their own bed and get up and make a three hour drive to Cleveland tomorrow.

So, who will it be? If I rely on Meisel, which seems right and good, I cross Brennan off the list. Brennan wasn’t hitting well, so he probably needs a few rehab AB’s in Columbus, anyway, when he does return.

Doesn’t make sense to bring Rocchio back when Wilson is doing well in the part-time role who hits LHP spot, unless they want to move Arias back to second base and Schneemann to right field (please, Lord, no). Rocchio should replace Arias if and when the time comes for the team to move him into a more part-time role, if he returns.

David Fry seems to need more reps.

Halpin would be able to help in center, which might be nice. Rodriguez is a right-handed hitter... but I don’t think the team trusts his defense and they can’t really bring up another DH with Fry nearing a return.

So, it’s maybe biting the bullet and putting Juan Brito on a major league salary and the 60-Day IL and adding either CJ Kayfus or Chase DeLauter? There is no way they are comfortable with bringing DeLauter up this early into his rehab schedule in Columbus.

So, is it Kayfus? Kayfus comes up and plays right field in Cleveland. Noel extends his time and Jones and Martinez take most of the reps in centerfield. Kayfus pinch-hit off the bench tonight so maybe he was Tracy’s guess of the player who would get called up.

Or, is it Halpin. No 40-man move required, reward a young player working hard and get help defensively while Jones gets a further shot.

It’s Halpin. Right? Right.

Mystery solved... or IS IT?