The Indians are expected to be without Francisco Lindor through all of spring training, and the star shortstop could also miss the first couple weeks of the season.
The Indians announced on Friday that Lindor sustained a moderate calf strain while preparing for spring training in Orlando, Fla. He was evaluated Wednesday at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Mark Schickendantz.
Lindor has been given a timeline of 7 to 9 weeks to return to major league game activity. That window started on Wednesday, meaning the first day within that expected window would fall on the eve of Opening Day, when the Indians start the 2019 season in Minnesota against the Twins on March 28.
This has, of course, put his Opening Day in serious jeopardy. The Indians will likely want to ensure that once he returns, he's completely ready and beyond a heightened risk of aggravating the original injury. In previous cases, Opening Day was not viewed as an artificial timeline. The Indians can especially operate in this way while in a weak division.
One of the issues with this Indians roster is how top-heavy it has become following the free-agent absences of key pieces like Andrew Miller, Michael Brantley, Cody Allen and others. That could especially be true with the lineup, which has already lost Brantley and Yan Gomes (who was dealt to Washington) and will have to rely on a less-than-ideal outfield situation. Also losing Lindor for an extended period of time significantly weakens the top of the order.
Lindor last season finished in the top six in American League MVP voting for the second year in a row and the top nine for the third year in a row. He slashed .277/.352/.519 and belted a career-high 38 home runs to go with 42 doubles, 92 RBIs, 129 runs scored and 25 stolen bases. His 7.6 fWAR put him in a tie for the fourth-best total in baseball among position players.
Lindor, who is under club control through the 2021 season, and the Indians this winter agreed to a $10.55 million deal to avoid arbitration.
