CLEVELAND: Carlos Santana simply hasn’t been the same hitter at the plate this season as in the past, and the Indians are hoping he finds himself sooner rather than later.
For now, he’s been pushed down to the No. 7 spot in the batting order after spending most of the season hitting in the No. 2 spot or cleanup. It doesn’t mean it’s a permanent demotion, but it is a clear sign that Santana has to start finding his swing again to bolster an Indians lineup that’s often been treading water.
Another piece to the move is that the Indians are trying to take advantage of a sudden hot streak from catcher Yan Gomes.