Indians: Franmil Reyes should fill in for Josh Naylor until a long-term solution is found

The Indians are about to get back Franmil Reyes who could fill in for Josh Naylor.

Franmil Reyes has played 746 career games in the outfield. He’s played a few in the outfield while a member of the Cleveland Indians. He may not be Jim Edmonds out there, but for the next few weeks or so, until the Tribe makes a decision on how to progress, Reyes should return to the right field to fill in for Josh Naylor.

By now you know about Naylor and his severely broken leg, and while the Indians need to find someone to replace him for the long-term (Nolan Jones remains a potential call-up option), the most obvious move is Reyes. While Reyes hasn’t been called up from Triple-A yet, as he’s been rehabbing down there over the last week or so, he’s very close to being ready for major league action. In fact, he’s already back to his home run-hitting ways.

Franmil Reyes and Roberto Perez well provide needed relief for the Indians

It isn’t just Reyes who’s about to come back, but catcher Roberto Perez as well. The two men are currently on rehab assignments in Triple-A, with the hope that they’re both going to be ready to be called up by July.

If that’s the case, then this will be a far more competent team offensively than at any other point in the season.

The Tribe losing Naylor is no good for anyone and he’ll be hard to replace considering the lack of in-organization options. Yet, Reyes can help in his own way. His big stick will be able to help generate instant offense, and if Terry Francona trots him out to right field, then maybe the Tribe don’t have to rush for Naylor’s replacement that fast. Maybe they can take their time and survive into August when the waiver wire is active.