Cleveland Indians: Jason Kipnis goes deep for Akron RubberDucks
Cleveland Indians 2B Jason Kipnis began his rehab stint with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks Tuesday. On Wednesday, he went yard.
After going hitless with two strikeouts Tuesday in Double-A Akron, Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis went deep Wednesday in the Rubber City.
A third inning home run off Hartford Yard Goats starter Konner Wade is an encouraging sign for Tribe fans, as Kipnis continues to rehab a nagging hamstring.
So @TheJK_Kid smacks a dinger into the @GoYardGoats bullpen 10 feet to my right! @AkronRubberDuck #Akron #rehabassignment pic.twitter.com/GJeszV9ETa
— Thomas Linder (@TDtommy77) August 3, 2017
Coming into Wednesday, Kipnis was a combined 0-for-7 with three strikeouts in his first two rehab games with Akron and Triple-A Columbus. The former all-star finished 1-for-4 Wednesday, but failed to play his scheduled nine innings.
Btw, @TheJK_Kid will be back in Akron for a full 9 tomorrow.
— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) August 2, 2017
You know what to do 👉 https://t.co/V5I4pzPlaV#QuAkron🦆 pic.twitter.com/TEhZKrAW3k
I wouldn’t read too much into Kipnis failing to play a full nine. Although, it seems the second baseman needs a few more at-bats in the MiLB before he returns to the Tribe’s lineup. Kipnis possesses a .232/.292/.402 slash line at the big-league level this season per baseball-reference.com.
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However, if Kipnis returned back to his 2016 offensive-self, he could do wonders for manager Terry Francona.
Do-it-all, superstar-in-the-making Jose Ramirez and Erik Gonzalez have done an admirable job filling in for Kipnis — even supplying superior defense. But Gonzalez, at this point in his career, is nowhere near the threat of a healthy Kipnis.
In 29 at-bats since Kipnis landed on the DL, Gonzalez is hitting just .207, with three RBI. Gonzalez could be an answer at second base in the future.
But for a team with World Series aspirations? He’s a liability.
Most importantly, the Indians need to take their time with their long-time second baseman. After missing most of spring training and April with a lingering shoulder injury, Kipnis has yet to find his groove in 2017.
Perhaps an extended rehab is best for Kipnis. Granted, the urge to rush him back remains strong. The Kansas City Royals remain just 2.5- games behind the Indians in the AL Central.
In hindsight, it seems an Eduardo Nunez or Asdrubal Cabrera deal would have been a coup for the Tribe at the deadline. As poor as Gonzalez has been at the dish since Kip’s injury, Giovanny Urshela has been dreadful in the batter’s box (view statistics below at your own risk) while manning the hot corner when J-Ram plays second base.
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Next: Should Indians consider adding Verlander?
Come back soon, Jason.