CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Guardians’ obsession with versatility is sometimes criticized. At times it seems their dream roster would have 13 utility players and a couple of pitchers who could play a position as well.

Right now, however, it’s coming in handy.

Shortstop Gabriel Arias did not start Tuesday night in the second game of a four-game wild-card showdown with the Royals at Progressive Field. He left Monday’s 10-2 win in the sixth inning with a sore right wrist.

Arias was hit on the wrist on Aug. 28 against Seattle and missed four games before returning to the lineup. Manager Stephen Vogt said he reinjured the wrist on Monday.

“He’s in a lot of pain,” said Vogt. “We had some testing done last night and we’re waiting to find out the results.”

Vogt said Arias felt pain swinging the bat after landing on the wrist when he slid home on a C.J. Kayfus double in the six-run fourth inning.

“I think he slid into home on the double and landed on the wrist,” said Vogt. “That exacerbated the pain.”

Arias is having his best overall season with the Guardians. He opened the year at second base and moved to shortstop when Bryan Rocchio was optioned in May after hitting .165 (15 for 91). Since Rocchio’s return, he’s played second, while Arias has stayed at short.

However, with Arias injured, Rocchio will move back to shortstop. Last year Rocchio was a Gold Glove finalist at short, while hitting .333 (11 for 33) in the postseason.

Since rejoining the Guardians on July 1, Rocchio has not only adapted to second base but has become one of the team’s most productive hitters. The switch-hitter is batting .272 (43 for 158) with three homers and 28 RBI since the All-Star break.

“The real adjustment I made when I came back up was my mental approach,” said Rocchio, through interpreter Agustin Rivero. “I made some minor physical tweaks, but I feel the real adjustment was in my mental approach.”

In Monday’s win, Rocchio went 2 for 4 with two doubles. His 28 RBI since the break are tied with Kyle Manzardo for the team lead.

He also made two great plays at second base to help preserve Slade Cecconi’s no-hit bid before it finally ran aground in the eighth inning.

“When I was up here the first time I was trying to get five hits in every at-bat and play at a superstar level on defense,” said Rocchio. “I realized I had to tone it down, adjust and simplify what I wanted to do on the field.”

Lineup changes

While shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., returned to the Royals’ lineup Tuesday night after missing Monday’s game with back spasms, right-hander Michael Wacha, scheduled to start against Cleveland on Wednesday, was placed on the seven-day concussion list Tuesday.

Manager Matt Quatraro told reporters that Wacha was involved in a “minor off-field accident,” but would not elaborate.

The Guardians may go with a bullpen game on Wednesday.

Second opinion

Right-hander Nic Enright (right elbow) is scheduled to visit Dr. Keith Meister for a second opinion on his elbow.

“We’re in a holding pattern right now,” said Enright.

Manager Stephen Vogt added that Enright’s treatments for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma have complicated the evaluation of his elbow.

FinallyLeft-hander John Means is still feeling sick, but Vogt said he’ll probably be able to throw his bullpen session on Wednesday. Means, who underwent Tommy John surgery last year, is trying to rejoin Cleveland’s pitching staff at some point before the end of the regular season.The Royals activated second baseman Jonathan India from the injured list in time for Tuesday’s game.Travis Bazzana, the first player taken in the 2024 draft, is hitting .391 (9 for 23) with four homers and eight RBI in six September games for Triple-A Columbus. Bazzana is hitting .247 (20 for 81) with three doubles, two triples, four homers and 14 RBI since his promotion to Columbus from Double-A Akron.

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