Lindor eager to get back at it
CLEVELAND — Francisco Lindor missed all the little moments. The big ones, too.
“Every pitch. Every out. Every celebration after every win,” the Indians AllStar shortstop said. “It was everything equally.”
Sidelined for the season’s first 18 games, Lindor was activated from the injured list Saturday before a doubleheader against the Braves. Lindor had been out since spraining his left ankle while running the bases near the end of spring training as he was rehabbing a right sprain.
For Lindor, the time away was difficult.
“Missing the flights. Missing getting to a hotel, getting your room key and figuring out what you’re going to eat,” he said. “I missed that. I miss my teammates. I miss the game. I miss the things within the game. It’s an honor. It’s a privilege to be healthy. It’s a blessing, and I ain’t taking it for granted. I used to take health for granted. Not no more.”
Lindor was not in the starting lineup for Saturday’s opener, but manager calf Terry Francona planned to have him back at short in the nightcap. The Indians went 11-7 without Lindor, but his presence makes them a better team in every area.
“He’s one of the best players in the game,” Francona said. “He’s a difference maker everywhere: clubhouse, dugout, on the bases, at short, in the batter’s box.”
Lindor will wear a brace on his ankle, but said he won’t be limited at the plate or in the field.
“We’ll see how I feel on a daily basis, but I feel like I’m in a good spot,” he said.