Will Brennan’s stay in Cleveland could be a short one if Thomas is able to return from the bone bruise in his wrist. Alternatively, the Guardians could send Jhonkensy Noel down once Thomas is ready. Thomas, out since Apr. 18, was hitting just .156/.188/.178 in 48 plate appearances before going on the IL.

Thomas was put on the injured list on April 22nd with a bone bruise in his right wrist that he suffered after being hit by a pitch on April 8th. He has started working towards beginning game activity and will begin hitting, running, and fielding “soon,” said manager Stephen Vogt.

Thomas missed six games with the injury suffered Apr. 8 on a HBP before returning to start three straight games last week. He’d been on the bench in three games since, though that seemed to be more about his lack of performance than the wrist. Angel Martínez, who appeared to be taking over as the center fielder against righties anyway, should be in that spot nearly every day while Thomas is out. Daniel Schneeman becomes the backup.

It looks like the Guardians have turned Thomas into a platoon player, at least for now. That is the way it should be, even if Thomas would probably bounce back enough to be of some use in mixed leagues if the Guardians kept playing him regularly. He just wouldn’t be helping Cleveland 70% of the time; the 29-year-old Thomas is a lifetime .298/.361/.505 hitter against lefties and a .222/.288/.386 hitter against righties. Angel Martínez has stepped in for him in center field versus righties.