Tyler Freeman Removed From ALDS Roster With Injury
The Cleveland Guardians removed infielder Tyler Freeman (oblique) from the American League Division Series roster on Monday due to a strained left oblique and added utility man Angel Martinez to the roster to replace him. Freeman injured his oblique during a simulated game recently and now will be ineligible to play in the ALCS if the Guardians advance past the division-rival Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. The 25-year-old utility man was in his third year with Cleveland in 2024 and finished the regular season hitting just .209 (69-for-330) with a career-high seven home runs, 32 RBI, 11 steals and 48 runs scored in a career-high 118 games played. Martinez, 22, will serve in a bench role for the Guardians for the rest of the ALDS. The switch-hitter batted .232/.298/.338 with three homers and three stolen bases in 43 games in 2024.
Tyler Freeman Raps Out Four Hits In Win Over Twins
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Tyler Freeman had four hits during Saturday's 11-4 win over the Minnesota Twins. The leadoff hitter scored three times, drove in three runs, and added his sixth stolen base this season. Freeman recorded only his fourth multi-hit game, and while Saturday was remarkable, remember that Freeman is hitting .221 with four homers and 16 RBI while sporting a paltry .693 OPS. Freeman's excellent performance is a one-off that should be taken as such and is mainly a fantasy option in deep-league formats.
Cleveland Guardians infielder Tyler Freeman (shoulder) left Tuesday's contest against the Houston Astros prematurely after experiencing left shoulder soreness, according to MLB.com. Before his removal, he was 0-for-2 with a punchout in the eventual 2-0 loss. The club will monitor how Freeman's feeling over the next few days, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. The 24-year-old is slashing .286/.344/.357 with no home runs, 13 runs, six RBI, and three steals across 38 games this year. Those numbers aren't too exciting, and he doesn't get everyday at-bats, leaving Freeman almost irrelevant in all formats.
Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Tyler Freeman is a 23-year-old second baseman who made his MLB debut last season but opened 2023 in the minors. He has looked great with Triple-A Columbus, showing a clear tendency to put the ball in play and drive in runs. His walk and strikeout rates have been solid, and he's also stealing bases at a higher clip than usual. Traditionally, Freeman has been regarded as a very advanced hitter with impressive bat speed, great balance in the box, and top-tier plate discipline. He may lack power, but he can still hit line drives to the gap, moving himself and other runners around the bases. Defensively, Freeman is a polished fielder with smooth footwork and a strong glove, but his average range and arm will likely keep him bound to second base long-term. Freeman is coming off a strong week in the minors during which he made a case for a potential promotion. All in all, he went 12-for-22 with one homer, seven RBI, two walks, one strikeout, and three stolen bases. This hot run included an impressive two-day stretch in which he hit 9-for-10 with five extra-base hits. Perhaps we could be seeing the second baseman back in the majors sooner rather than later.
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Nolan Jones (ankle, back) and shortstop Tyler Freeman (shoulder) have yet to be cleared to play in spring games. Jones had ankle surgery in the offseason and is now dealing with back pain, although he's starting to run, hit and throw in camp. Freeman, meanwhile, had soreness in his left shoulder prior to camp after undergoing surgery last year. He is expected to resume hitting this week. Jones, 23, hit .238/.356/.431 with 13 home runs, 48 RBI and 10 steals in 99 games for Triple-A Columbus last year, but he's expected to start back in the minors in 2022. Freeman is one of the team's top prospects, but he won't be ready for Opening Day and will also begin in the minors after tearing the labrum in his shoulder last year.
