What It Means:

With Yandy Diaz (.333/.493/.471 since being recalled last month) excelling at third base, Francona feels like the Indians "have a good thing going" in the infield and he doesn't want to disrupt it. This could mean reduced playing time upon return for Kipnis, who hasn't played since August 22 due to a right hamstring strain. The Indians have a void to fill in center field with Bradley Zimmer (hand) expected to miss the rest of the season.

It's been a disappointing season for Kipnis, who has been limited to 79 games (335 plate appearances) in 2017 while posting a career-low .228 batting average with 11 home runs, 30 RBI, 38 runs scored, and 5 steals. numberFire's models project him for a .256 batting average with 1 home run, 5 RBI, and 6 runs scored in 43 plate appearances over the remainder of the year.