Lane

Thomas

Feinsand adds that the deal includes $1 million in performance-based incentives. Thomas heads to Kansas City following an injury plagued final season in Cleveland where he battled plantar fasciitis, which limited him to just 39 games, before undergoing foot surgery in late September. The 30-year-old outfielder should be a full-go in time for spring training and figures to take over as the club’s starting center fielder. He offers realistic 20-homer, 30-steal upside in an everyday role and projects as a strong bounce-back candidate for fantasy purposes, if he’s put the lingering foot issues to bed.

Thomas hit the injured list back in early July with plantar fasciitis and ultimately wound up requiring a surgical procedure after his recovery didn’t progress as quickly as anticipated. He obviously won’t be an option for the surging Guardians should they make the postseason, but he figures to be ready in time for spring training.

Thomas has been out with his foot ailment since July 6th and has not progressed as quickly as the Guardians hoped. Manager Stephen Vogt said that the team remains “hopeful” that Thomas will return to action in September, but there is currently no timetable for his return.

Thomas landed on the IL on July 6, which was the second time that plantar fasciitis has put him on the injured list this season. He received an injection during the All-Star break and is doing baseball activities, but he doesn’t appear close to a rehab assignment at this time.

Thomas heads back to the shelf for the second time this season due to plantar fasciitis, which tends to be a challenging and often recurring issue for position players. The 29-year-old outfielder is unlikely to require a lengthy absence, but the only real way to put the issue to bed is rest and rehabilitation. There should be a clear return timetable at some point in the coming days.

Thomas will get some extra time off to rest and recover after making an early exit from Friday’s game with mild plantar fascia symptoms. The 29-year-old outfielder is presumably day-to-day heading into Sunday’s series finale. It’ll be Nolan Jones shifting over to cover center field with rookie Johnathan Rodríguez entering the lineup in right field.

The hope for Cleveland and fantasy managers is that the recurrence isn’t a significant concern. The 29-year-old center fielder missed time back in May with plantar fasciitis, so the fact the issue has cropped up again is concerning. There should be some clarity on his status ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

Thomas had some big swings tonight, with his homer leaving the bat at 109.5 mph and his single close behind at 108.8 mph. He’s homered in back-to-back games after hitting just one in his first 29 appearances.

Thomas’s homer in the seventh was his second of the season. He’s batting .165/.239/.237 with 33 strikeouts in 109 plate appearances, but the Guardians are still treating him as a regular at the moment. That might change if they opt to give Chase DeLauter a chance in the coming weeks.

As a team, the Guardians were only able to muster four hits (all singles) and one walk against Emerson Hancock and company. Thomas was the only member of the Guardians to reach base twice — with a two-out single off of Hancock in the second and a one-out walk off of the right-hander in the fifth inning. The 29-year-old outfielder has been swinging a hot bat since returning from the injured list and makes for an intriguing addition in deeper mixed leagues where he may still be available.