MINNEAPOLIS -- The timing couldn’t have been worse for Nolan Jones, but his misfortune opens the door for Petey Halpin's dream-come-true moment.
The Guardians placed Jones on the 10-day IL on Saturday after he had to leave Friday’s game with a strained right oblique. Halpin was called up from Triple-A Columbus and is set to make his Major League debut whenever manager Stephen Vogt calls his name.
Jones entered Friday’s game as a defensive replacement but had to be removed when he felt pain in his side while preparing to take his first at-bat.
“Initial testing here suggested an oblique injury, and so he's headed back to Cleveland today,” Vogt said. “I really feel for Nolan. I mean, that's a rough way to have that happen this time of year.”
Taking his place will be Halpin, the Guardians’ third-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. The 23-year-old outfielder slashed .249/.321/.414 with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs at Triple-A Columbus this year. He also hit 29 doubles and five triples in 553 plate appearances and stole 15 bases in 18 attempts.
“I think my best quality is how I play the game in terms of speed and intensity,” Halpin said. “I’m going to try to chase it down in the outfield. I play hard and I'm going to give everything I’ve got for the guys behind me for nine innings, as hard as I can.”
Vogt is looking forward to seeing how Halpin fits into the clubhouse.
“We’re absolutely ecstatic for Petey,” he said. “Any of you guys that have been around him during Spring Training, you know how much energy he can bring, and he can play some defense. He's a good baserunner and he can hit, so he's going to help us.”
Halpin was not in the starting lineup for the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Twins, but Vogt indicated it might not be long before he makes his debut.
“We’re going to get through Game 1 and see where we're at, but you know me, I love to get them in there right away.”