Guardians notes: Team looks forward to draft; Lane Thomas on IL again

CLEVELAND — The Guardians will have five selections in the top 101 picks in the MLB Draft next week. Paul Gillispie, senior vice president of scouting, said he believes it will be a "deep" draft. "Our overall goal is to bring in the best players no matter what position they play," he said. "It's less about the position and more about our assessment of the player and his fit for the Guardians." The draft will be July 13 and 14. "It's a year-long process," Gillispie said. "We try to cast a wide net." Cleveland has the No. 27 pick in the first round. It will follow with pick Nos. 64, 66, 70 and 101. Gillispie said the Guardians have $10 million in bonus pool money to spend. He said the strengths of the draft are in college pitching, shortstop options and high school arms. The draft is spread out over two days, which might result in a "lack of sleep," Gillispie said. "We hope to be ultra-prepared." One name to keep your eye on at 27 is Wesleyan Christian Academy third baseman Josh Hammond, of High Point, North Carolina. Thomas shut down Guardians center fielder Lane Thomas was placed on the 10-day injured list with right plantar fasciitis. It's his third stint on the injured list this season, twice with the same injury. He had developed a "noticeable limp," Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. "He didn't respond (to rehabilitation)." Vogt said there are eight days until the All-Star break and coupled with the festivities, he'll have 14 days "to knock it out." "It's been a frustrating year for Lane," the manager said. "Hopefully, we'll get this thing under control." Thomas is batting .160 with four homers and 11 RBIs. Wilson recalled So, with the need for an outfielder, the Guardians recalled infielder Will Wilson from AAA Columbus. Fans have been clamoring for minor-league phenom Chase DeLauter, but he was bypassed for another infielder. Vogt said the time just isn't right to allow DeLauter to make his major-league debut. He said the Guardians must consider DeLauter's "medical history." "We want to give him the best chance to hit the ground running if and when he gets his chance," he said. Pitching probables Right-hander Tanner Bibee (4-9, 4.20) will oppose Houston right-hander Hunter Brown (9-3, 1.82) in tonight's first game of the Astros series. Left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0, 3.41) will pitch for the Guardians on Tuesday against left-hander Brandon Walter (1-1, 4.15). On Wednesday, Cleveland right-hander Slade Cecconi (3-4, 3.56) will go against right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (2-3, 5.82). In the first game of the Chicago White Sox series on Thursday, left-hander Logan Allen (5-7, 4.07) will pitch for the Guardians. The White Sox have yet to name their starter. Kwan's mastery Cleveland's Gold Glove left fielder Steven Kwan made a magnificent play on a high drive off the wall in the fourth inning Saturday. Spencer Torkelson's long fly ball bounced off the left-field wall into Kwan's glove, who pivoted and fired the ball to second base. It held Torkelson to a long single. "He works on it every day in batting practice," Vogt said. "Every rep counts. He got his body in position to make the perfect throw. It completely changes everything keeping the runner off second." Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com.