Franmil Reyes’ tender right ankle and 5 things we learned Monday from Cleveland Indians spring training – cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Franmil Reyes says he is determined to log some innings in the outfield for the Indians this spring, but an ankle injury suffered a few weeks ago in the Dominican Republic could slow his progress.

Reyes told reporters Monday via Zoom that he twisted his right ankle while getting reads on fly balls to left during a workout before coming to camp in Goodyear, Arizona. He said the ankle feels good now in batting practice, but live at-bats against a pitcher are another story. The intensity of each swing puts more pressure on his back foot and causes the injury to hurt “a little bit more.”

As of Monday morning, manager Terry Francona had yet to have a 1-on-1 conversation with Reyes, as is customary for all players at the start of camp. But don’t be surprised to see the 6-foot-5 slugger in his familiar role of designated hitter early on.

“I don’t want to get him to get into a position that’s unfair to him, running him back and forth,” Francona said. “My guess is we’ll start him out in the outfield, in right field.”

Francona said he wants to communicate to Reyes that he’s not “pigeon-holed” into a spot at DH because it would open up opportunities for other people. But the skipper acknowledged that he wants to employ his best defensive team.

“And when we go to the National League cities, we’d really like to not have to sit him, especially if he’s swinging the bat really well,” Francona said.

Reyes said he’s open to playing wherever he’s needed in order to help the Indians win, but added that he’s been a right fielder his whole life.

“I’ll honestly do whatever they want me to do,” Reyes said. “If they want to just leave me there at DH, I’m OK with that. If I have to be in the outfield or first base, I know I can do my job.”

Hold on, first base? Video of Reyes taking grounders at first surfaced on social media this offseason. But he admitted he’s not done any serious work there.

“Never,” Reyes said. “Probably a couple ground balls during the season at first base. That’s all.”

1. Never assume they know

As expected, Francona held off on delivering his traditional opening speech for players on Monday, deferring to trainers, clubhouse attendants and other staff who introduced themselves and went over “housekeeping” items.

On Tuesday, he will lay out his expectations for the season and the club’s overarching philosophies for everybody, including those who have already heard it before.

“We’re trying to set the foundation for how we want to attack our challenges in the upcoming year, and if you don’t talk to them about it, it’s probably unfair to expect them to understand what we’re trying to do,” he said.

Waiting until Tuesday also allowed the Indians to space things out and keep everybody socially distanced in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sometimes I tend to probably get a little revved up and talk,” Francona said. “But I think it’s better this way and I think it’s respectful to the protocols.”

Terry Francona wears a mask as he drives around on a golf cart during a spring training baseball practice Monday in Goodyear, Ariz. AP

2. Pitching in perpetuity

Lefty Oliver Perez is in camp for what he hopes is his 19th big league season. On Monday he told reporters that if you asked him two or three years ago if he thought he’d play this long, he’d say “there’s no way.”

But when the Indians expressed interest in bringing him back for a fourth season with the club, the 39-year-old Mexico native said he was excited.

“For me that’s really special,” Perez said. “I’ll never lose the passion for the game. Right now, when I go home, I feel like 39, but when I come to the clubhouse I feel like a rookie because I’m really excited to be around everybody and have a good time and just follow our dream being in the big leagues and maybe one day win the World Series.”

Oliver Perez is looking to pitch in his 19th big league season.AP

3. Just Google it, bro

Shane Bieber says he’s not at all surprised that teammate James Karinchak developed his devastating curveball after researching Lance McCullers Jr.’s pitch grip from the 2017 playoffs on Google.

Bieber said the proliferation of social media accounts such as Rob Friedman’s Pitching Ninja and other web sites devoted to breaking down the most infinitesimal details of pitching has opened up a whole new avenue for younger pitchers to develop their craft.

Bieber sees it as an avenue for pitchers to share their thoughts, cues, pitch grips and more.

“If you’re ever struggling or if you need a fresh perspective on a pitch or you’re trying to add something, that’s always a good place to start, especially in this world of where we’re at right now,” Bieber remarked. “Social media and the internet can provide a lot of tools for those willing to learn and hungry to learn.”

James Karinchak throws to first baseman Jake Bauers during Monday’s workout. AP

4. Man in the middle

Cesar Hernandez won his first career Gold Glove award at second base last season, but after agreeing to return as a free agent, he’ll have to break in a new shortstop following the trade of Francisco Lindor to the Mets.

Hernandez does not anticipate it will take long to get up to speed with whoever wins the job, be it the more experienced Amed Rosario who hails from the Dominican Republic, or his young Venezuelan countryman Andres Gimenez.

“We know the communication part will be a lot easier, not only to communicate but to get along and understand each others’ styles,” Hernandez said through interpreter Agustin Rivero. “Just like happened last year with Lindor, it was a quick adaptation.

Hernandez played against Rosario as a member of the Phillies and described him as a very athletic defender who likes to run.

“He’s not afraid to make mistakes,” Hernandez said. ”That’s key, to have that combination of guys that are always willing to give that extra effort and that’s going to be contagious.”

Gimenez, meanwhile has displayed an eagerness to play and learn the game.

“He has a lot of tools to be able to play the game here,” Hernandez said. “He’s really showing that desire already. He’s going to be able to contribute to us at some point.”

Cleveland Indians — With mothballed and retired passenger planes in the background at Phoenix Goodyear Airport, Indians pitchers warm up under a bright morning sun Monday. AP

5. Padres everywhere

Reyes was asked how excited he was to see so many ex-teammates from San Diego in camp with the Indians. He expressed his special feelings for outfielder Josh Naylor, whom he referred to affectionally as his brother. But Reyes also mentioned his excitement about being in camp with veteran catcher Austin Hedges.

“I haven’t seen Hedgie since 2013 when I was just a little kid, 18 years old,” Reyes said.

Speaking of kids, young shortstop Gabriel Arias is also in camp, giving Reyes a boost.

“That’s my homie right there,” Reyes said. “He’s Venezuelan but every time I’d go to the complex (in the Dominican) to practice, that was my boy. You guys will be really excited to see that. He’s got very good hands and he can hit. A lot of swag on him.”