Exciting AL Central Updates: Key Insights on Thomas, Ragans, Lynch, and Cobb!

Before today’s game, the Guardians placed outfielder Lane Thomas on the injured list for 10 days. This move comes as Thomas deals with recurring plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Infielder Will Wilson from Triple-A has been called up to fill in for him. This is Thomas’ third time on the injured list this season, following a bone bruise in his wrist earlier and ongoing foot issues. Cleveland’s manager Stephen Vogt noted that Thomas felt discomfort during Friday’s game, prompting the team to hope that an IL stint combined with the All-Star break will help him finally recover.

Thomas’ injuries have severely impacted his performance, leading to a poor .160 batting average over 142 plate appearances. Despite a recent upswing with an .816 OPS and three home runs in his last 38 plate appearances, his struggles reflect a broader issue for the Guardians, who just extended their losing streak to 10 games against the Tigers. With the trade deadline approaching, it seems likely Cleveland will consider trading players, yet Thomas’ injuries might prevent them from moving him as they had initially hoped.

In other news around the AL Central:

• Cole Ragans of the Royals is set to resume throwing after an MRI showed no issues. Ragans has been sidelined since early June due to a shoulder strain. His recovery timing will play a role in the Royals’ decisions as they weigh buying or selling at the deadline. After recent wins, the Royals now sit at 43-48, 5.5 games from the final AL Wild Card spot.

• The Royals also placed left-hander Daniel Lynch IV on the 15-day injured list due to nerve irritation in his throwing elbow. He will undergo further testing to assess the injury’s severity. Despite limited strikeouts, Lynch has maintained a solid 2.59 ERA in 41 2/3 innings as he transitioned into a relief role.

• Alex Cobb, a pitcher for the Tigers, is expected to play catch again after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection in his left hip. He has yet to pitch this season due to hip inflammation and has faced setbacks in his recovery. The Tigers took a risk by signing Cobb to a one-year, $15 million deal this winter, hoping his injury troubles would be behind him.

These updates highlight the significant challenges teams face as they navigate player health and make crucial decisions as the season progresses.

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