The Guardians introduced that they’ve chosen the contract of infielder Will Wilson. He’ll take the energetic roster spot of outfielder Lane Thomas, who has been positioned on the 10-day injured listing with a bone bruise in his proper wrist, retroactive to April 20. To open a 40-man spot for Wilson, right-hander Trevor Stephan has been transferred to the 60-day IL.
Thomas has been coping with the wrist concern for a fairly some time, as he was hit by a pitch in that space again on April eighth (video from MLB.com). He wasn’t instantly positioned on the IL however didn’t play once more for a few week, as he entered the April fifteenth contest as a pinch hitter. He then began the April 16-18 contests and entered the sport on April nineteenth as a pinch hitter once more, however hasn’t appeared within the membership’s previous two video games.
The truth that he wasn’t instantly positioned on the IL suggests it’s not a significant damage however it’s doable it has been contributing to his terrible season, as he at the moment sports activities a line of .156/.188/.178 on the yr. It appears a call has been made to let him heal up for per week or so, versus persevering with to play via it with poor outcomes.
That may permit Wilson to get to the majors for the primary time, which has been a winding street. He was a primary spherical decide of the Angels in 2019, getting chosen fifteenth general and signing a $3.4MM bonus. Just some months later, in December of 2019, he was flipped to the Giants in what was basically a wage dump deal. The Giants took on infielder Zack Cozart, who was owed $12.67MM for the 2020 season, with a view to purchase Wilson. The Angels acquired a participant to be named later, whom was later named as left-hander Garrett Williams, after which rapidly signed Anthony Rendon to a seven-year $245MM deal to exchange Cozart at third base.
The Giants launched Cozart a month later, clearly signaling that they solely took on his deal as a method of buying Wilson, however that didn’t work out for them. Wilson stalled out within the higher ranges of the minor leagues. Over 2023 and 2024, he break up his time between Double-A and Triple-A however hit simply .222/.297/.346 for a wRC+ of 76. His inventory had fallen sufficient that the Giants left him unprotected within the minor league section of the Rule 5 draft in December, when the Guardians snatched him up.
He’s out to a robust begin together with his new membership, as he has slashed .324/.418/.647 in 18 Triple-A video games to date. A part of that may be a .340 batting common on balls in play however he’s additionally drawing walks at a 12.7% clip and solely putting out at a 19% tempo. He’s accomplished that whereas taking part in largely third base but in addition some shortstop and second base.
He gained’t straight change Thomas, who was beforehand the membership’s heart fielder, however he’ll give the membership an additional physique as they transfer some versatile items round. Utility gamers like Ángel Martínez and Daniel Schneemann may also help cowl heart whereas Wilson can maybe take over because the resident depth infielder for now.
As for Stephan, he underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in March of final yr and began this yr on the 15-day IL. His present standing is unknown however it seems the Guards don’t anticipate him again earlier than late Might, based mostly on this switch.
Picture courtesy of Samantha Madar, Imagn Pictures.
