Injury forces Guardians to make roster move during ALDS, per insider

The Cleveland Guardians won Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday against the Detroit Tigers.

A strong start from Tanner Bibee and an offensive outburst allowed the Guardians to take an early lead in the series. However, Cleveland is already facing a little bit of adversity, even after their Game 1 win.

Outfielder Tyler Freeman sustained a left oblique strain during a simulated game and is unable to continue in the ALDS. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Cleveland has replaced him with outfielder Angel Martinez.

Freeman struggled during the regular season, hitting just .209 with seven home runs, 32 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and a .626 OPS. However, he had been added to the ALDS roster for the Guardians.

Unfortunately, the 25-year-old outfielder will now be taken off the roster, as Major League Baseball requires a team to do so with a player who is injured.

Martinez only took 151 at-bats at the Major League level this season. The 22-year-old hit .232 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and a .636 OPS. He is a switch hitter, so he does provide the Guardians with an interesting alternative option.

Regardless of how he recovers from his injury, Freeman will be ineligible to play in the postseason unless the Guardians advance to the World Series.

The team won 92 games during the regular season and secured the No. 2 seed in the American League. All they need to advance to the ALCS is two more wins over the Tigers.

We'll see if Cleveland can take Game 2 and ultimately get past Detroit for a trip to the next round.

More MLB: Guardians vs. Tigers schedule: Complete dates, times, TV channels for 2024 AL Division Series games