In five games this season with the Indians, Gomes is hitting .150 with five strikeouts in 20 plate appearances. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
CHICAGO — Terry Francona has been tempted to bring Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes back up to the major leagues from his minor league rehab assignment because of what he means to the line-up.
But Francona is well aware of what bringing Gomes off the disabled list too early could do in the long-term. So Francona has done his best to remain patient, often finding himself in discussions with Indians trainer James Quinlan and catching coach Sandy Alomar, Jr., about what’s best.
The wait won’t be much longer.
Francona said before Thursday’s game against the Chicago White Sox “there’s a pretty good chance” for Gomes to catch for the Indians on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field. It will mark the first time he has played in the big leagues since April 11 when he went 0-for-4 against Detroit before being placed on the disabled list with a knee injury.
“Because he’s so good and what he means to us, we probably thought until we were making ourselves crazy about bringing him back earlier,” Francona said. “But when you sit back and think about it, to do that a day or two too early…I hate to make a mistake there.”
Gomes was the designated hitter for the Indians’ Triple-A affiliate in Columbus on Thursday and is expected to catch for nine innings Friday — the last hurdle, Francona said — to Gomes being activated.
In five games this season with the Indians, Gomes is hitting .150 with five strikeouts in 20 plate appearances. Francona said keeping Gomes in Triple-A so long isn’t a penalty, but instead a precautionary measure against something happening with Gomes’ knee.
“We couldn’t be more proud of his effort,” Francona said. “We just try to make a good decision — and again, part of it is because of how important he is.”
