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Josh Naylor has closed fracture, ankle dislocation
Cleveland Indians left fielder Josh Naylor. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland's Josh Naylor has closed fracture and ankle dislocation

Cleveland Indians outfielder Josh Naylor went down with a horrific leg injury during Sunday's game at the Minnesota Twins when he collided with teammate Ernie Clement while chasing a fly ball in the fourth inning. 

On Monday, Cleveland confirmed that Naylor has a closed fracture and dislocation of his right ankle and will be evaluated in Cleveland later this week to determine when he can have surgery. While there's no timetable for his return, it's widely assumed he'll miss the rest of the season. 

Cleveland manager Terry Francona told reporters shortly after Sunday's 8-2 loss that it was known at the time Naylor was dealing with at least a fracture. The 24-year-old is slashing .253/.301/.399 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs following Sunday's outing.

As The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) reported, this latest setback is a brutal blow for a Cleveland side that was already without ace and reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, fellow starting pitchers Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale, catcher Roberto Perez and designated hitter and slugger Franmil Reyes because of injuries. 

On a positive note, Reyes was hitting bombs for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers over the weekend: 

Cleveland began Monday at 41-33 on the campaign and 2.5 games back of the first-place Chicago White Sox in the American League Central standings. 

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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