Guardians Activate Playoff Hero Lane Thomas After Astros Series

Guardians Activate Playoff Hero Lane Thomas After Astros Series originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Cleveland Guardians, fresh off a series loss to the surging Houston Astros at home, now turn their focus to a two-game set against the Cincinnati Reds in the battle of Ohio teams.

The Guardians will welcome their state rivals, fresh off a sweep of the ailing Diamondbacks, to Cleveland starting Monday.

After dropping two of three to the Dodgers, the Guardians went 2-4 against the Yankees and Astros in what is shaping up to be a possible playoff preview.

Prior to Monday’s series opener against the Reds, Cleveland announced news on a former playoff hero.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas (8) runs the bases after hitting a grand slam in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers during game five of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field.Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Guardians activated outfielder Lane Thomas from the 10-day injured list, and demoted infielder Will Wilson to Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move.

Thomas is most well known in Cleveland for his grand slam in Game 5 of the American League Division Series, which lifted Cleveland to a series victory over Tarik Skubal and the Tigers.

Thomas had been sidelined since late May with plantar fasciitis in his foot, but this isn’t his first time on the injured list this season. Thomas was sidelined from April 19 to May 22 after being hit in the wrist by a pitch in the Guardians’ home opener April 8.

This season, Thomas has played in only 17 games, and hit to a paltry .117 average and .305 OPS.

Some Guardians fans hope that the move to send down Wilson will free up fan-favorite Daniel Schneemann for more reps in the infield.

While Thomas has struggled this season, his seemingly renewed health could hopefully provide more upside for the rest of the season.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

Guardians Activate Playoff Hero Lane Thomas After Astros Series

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