Guardians replace injured Tyler Freeman with Ángel Martínez ahead of Game 2 against Tigers
Guardians utilityman Tyler Freeman sustained an oblique injury during a simulated game Sunday and was dropped from the AL Division Series roster prior to Cleveland hosting Detroit in Game 2
CLEVELAND (AP) — Guardians utilityman Tyler Freeman sustained an oblique injury during a simulated game Sunday and was dropped from the AL Division Series roster prior to Cleveland hosting Detroit in Game 2 on Monday.
Freeman was replaced by versatile rookie Ángel Martínez, who played in 43 games this season for the AL Central champions but was left off the initial 26-man playoff roster. Martínez played six different positions for Cleveland.
Manager Stephen Vogt said Freeman strained his left oblique during an at-bat against Ben Lively during the off-day practice. Both teams worked out at Progressive Field, which was closed to media members.
“It happens,” Vogt said. “We just feel so much for Free. It’s been a rough couple weeks for him, and he’s been through a lot. He’s been a big part of our team’s success, been a big part of what we’ve created all year long. He’ll stay with us, but we had to make the roster move. And just really, really feel for Tyler.”
