With Arias' return to lineup, Rocchio to see playing time at 2B

KANSAS CITY -- Less than a month after Gabriel Arias was carted off the field in a scary incident following a slide attempt in which he rolled his ankle, the Guardians’ shortstop was back in the lineup Friday at Kauffman Stadium prior to the game’s postponement due to rain, setting up a split doubleheader on Saturday.

In a corresponding move for activating Arias from the 10-day injured list, Cleveland optioned infielder Will Wilson (.472 OPS in 72 at-bats) to Triple-A Columbus.

Arias received good news when his X-rays on June 29 came back negative, revealing a left ankle sprain after he had exited the field with a splint on his leg.

Before the injury, Arias was having the best season of his big league career, crushing six homers to go along with 17 doubles and 31 RBIs in 77 games. He was Cleveland’s Opening Day second baseman, but took over as the club’s everyday shortstop after Brayan Rocchio was optioned to Triple-A on May 12.

However, since Arias’ injury, Rocchio has played well defensively at shortstop and contributed at the plate, earning his spot back on the roster. But with Arias’ return, the Guardians plan to slot Arias back primarily at shortstop, with Rocchio -- who has experience at second base in the Minor Leagues -- set to log his first innings at second in the big leagues.

“Just the way [Arias] was playing short before he got hurt. Obviously, Rocchio’s got the ability to play second base,” manager Stephen Vogt said regarding the defensive alignment. “I think to put us in the best position to have the best defense, that’s where we are going to start.

“[Rocchio’s] been taking reps the last week knowing this is coming. … I mean, Brayan Rocchio is one of the best infielders in the game, so I have all the confidence in the world. There’s going to be some growing pains, there’s going to be some things, maybe some plays he hasn’t made before, but I have all the confidence in the world that those two can be one of the best double-play combos in baseball.”

Daniel Schneemann, who has played 60 games at second base, will now get more time in right field with all three on the roster. Lane Thomas, who has been on the IL since July 6 with right plantar fasciitis, has the ability to play both center and right field, but Vogt said his progression took a step back and he isn’t expected to return in the next few weeks.

That’s set up a platoon of sorts between Arias, Rocchio and Schneemann, who will bounce around as needed, but the plan is for all three to be in the lineup on a regular basis.

“I’ve talked to [Arias], Brayan and Daniel Schneemann about, ‘Look, there’s going to be times where Rocchio’s at shortstop, Schneemann at second, [Arias] at short, Rocchio’s at second, Schneemann’s in the outfield,’” Vogt said. “All three of [them] are going to play, but for right now, we are going to go with [Arias] at short and Brayan at second.”