Injury Update: Leonys Martin and Danny Farquhar Cleared to Play
By Dylan Smith
Leonys Martin and Danny Farquhar both missed significant chunks of 2018 due to life-threatening conditions. Both players are now cleared to play in 2019.
This Thanksgiving, two baseball players will be thankful for their health. Leonys Martin and Danny Farquhar both suffered life-threatening injuries during the 2018 season. Months later, their health has stabilized and both players will have the opportunity to continue their playing careers.
Martin, an outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, has been cleared to participate in offseason workout activities and Farquhar, a relief pitcher who attempted to return to the Chicago White Sox in 2018, has been cleared to continue playing.
The Cleveland Indians acquired Leonys Martin from the Detriot Tigers in July as they were in search of outfield depth. The lefty fell ill shortly after his acquisition. A life-threatening bacterial infection limited Martin to only six games in an Indians’ uniform.
On Tuesday, MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince announced Martin’s good news on Twitter.
Good news: Doctors at Cleveland Clinic cleared @Indians OF @leonys27martin for full offseason strength and conditioning activity today. He'll be a go for Spring Training. In August, he fought a serious bacterial infection that ended his 2018 season and threatened his life.
— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) November 20, 2018
The Indians anticipated this good news as Martin has already signed a one year, $3 million deal to return to the club. Upon his return, the Indians will likely use Martin as their primary center fielder since their outfield depth remains thin.
As for Farquhar, James Fegan of The Athletic (via MLBTradeRumors) reported that the reliever has been cleared to continue his career. The righty collapsed in the White Sox dugout during a game in April. Tests soon concluded that Farquhar had suffered a brain aneurysm.
Unlike Martin, Farquhar has been working out for months. The righty was preparing for a late-season return but was forced to wait for his skull to fully heal.
The 31-year-old reliever is now a free-agent and will be in search of a new employer. Multiple teams should be interested in the righty as he has had success in the past. Even if Farquhar has to settle for a minor league contract, I am sure that he will be excited to get the opportunity to play again.
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These two players remind us to be thankful for our health and I wish the best to you and your families during this holiday season.