Guardians activate slugger Josh Naylor, sidelined greater than a month with indirect harm

CLEVELAND — The Guardians activated first baseman Josh Naylor from the injured record Sunday, giving Cleveland again considered one of its greatest hitters for a September playoff push.

Naylor hasn’t performed since July 31, when he strained his proper indirect in a recreation in opposition to Houston. The 26-year-old was having a profession season when he bought harm.

Naylor is batting .306 with 15 homers and 79 RBIs for the Guardians, who’re making an attempt to catch the first-place Minnesota Twins within the AL Central. Despite lacking the previous month, Naylor is second on the crew in homers and first in RBIs.

He was batting third because the designated hitter Sunday because the Guardians concluded a three-game collection in opposition to Tampa Bay. Cleveland will host Minnesota for 3 video games beginning Monday.

To make room for Naylor, outfielder Oscar Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

Naylor not too long ago performed a couple of video games with Double-A Akron to arrange for his return to the Guardians. He is in his third full season with Cleveland, which acquired him in a 2020 commerce from San Diego.

Manager Terry Francona has used an assortment of first basemen to fill in for Naylor, with Kole Calhoun, acquired in an Aug. 9 commerce with the Los Angeles Dodgers, having the most important affect on Cleveland’s offense.