Andres Gimenez Leaves Guardians-Reds Game With Leg Injury

Andres Gimenez exits the Cleveland Guardians-Cincinnati Reds game with an apparent leg injury.

© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

How many Cleveland Guardians are going to drop before the season ends on Sunday? 

The team lost Gabriel Arias in the opener of their two-game set with the Cincinnati Reds and later lost the other half of their middle infield as Andres Gimenez went down with a leg injury.

Gimenez was up to bat in the bottom of the seventh inning and fouled a ball off his knee. It was an awkward play as his leg was already extended when the ball made impact leaving little protection.

Terry Francona along with the team's trainer came out to check on the injured Guardian as he pleaded to stay in the game. 

Gimenez overall seemed fine after the injury. He finished out the at-bat and gingerly jogged into the dugout. Tito was quick to meet him at the top step and appeared to let the 25-year-old know there was no reason to fight through the pain. Gimenez nodded and agreed with what his skipper had to say.

Jose Tena entered the game at short and Tyler Freeman (who came into the game for Arias) slid over to second base. 

At the end of the day, there's no reason to have a franchise cornerstone playing injured when the team is already eliminated from postseason contention.

Sep 6, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez (0) throws to second to force out Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

It is disappointing that Gimenez was pulled from the game though. He's been one of the best hitters in baseball in the month and currently has a slash line of .349/.389/.494 with a .883 OPS since September began. This is the type of production fans were expecting to see from their $100-million man all season long.

Hopefully, Gimenez can turn this strong finish into a strong start to 2024.