Guardians notes: Catcher Mike Zunino misses second straight game with stiff neck

CLEVELAND — Mike Zunino missed his second straight game with neck soreness, but manager Terry Francona is optimistic the Guardians' primary catcher will return for the series finale against the Angels on Sunday. "He's doing much better," Francona said prior to Saturday's game. "He went through a full workout today, and that was the idea. Talked to (head athletic trainer) James Quinlan (Saturday) morning about, 'Let's put him through a workout, and then not put the game on him afterwards.' I think he's trending in the right direction." It's been a rough start to Zunino's Guardians career, offensively and defensively. He is batting .179 with two home runs and seven RBIs, striking out 40 times in 26 games — 38 times in his last 21 starts — and is hitless in seven May games (0-for-20). Zunino leads the majors with four passed balls and has thrown out only 5 of 28 (18 percent) runners attempting to steal. In other injury news: Right-hander Cody Morris is working his way back from a shoulder strain that has sidelined him since March. Morris, 26, made his MLB debut for Cleveland last year, appearing in seven games (five starts) and posting a 2.28 ERA. He was on the ALDS roster, tossing two scoreless innings (three strikeouts) against the Yankees in Game 4. "He's doing pretty well," Francona said. "His velocity the last time out was really good. What we're trying to do is to get him out to about three innings and then decide what's in his best interests to be successful." The Guardians are trying to decide the best role for Morris — starter or reliever — moving forward. Tough as Nayls With a serious ankle injury in 2021 no doubt in the back of his mind, Josh Naylor slid head first into home plate Friday night and appeared to injure his shoulder on an awkward landing. "It looked kinda scary," Francona said. "He said he was fine by the time he got back into the dugout. It was like, 'you don't look fine."' Naylor was fine enough to play Saturday, manning first base and batting fifth. Fire starter Closer Emmanuel Clase saw a drop in velocity over the first month of the season, but the hard-throwing right-hander is back to around 98-100 mph, according to Francona. "I think his arm swing had changed a little bit and (pitching coach) Carl (Willis) and the guys got it back to where it was," he said. "For the last three to four outings, you'd see one, but you wouldn't see it with the next pitch. (Friday night) was the first time you saw it consistently." Ironically enough, the Angels rallied off Clase in the ninth Friday to beat Cleveand 5-4. It was the fourth blown save for Clase, who leads the majors with 13 saves after leading MLB in the category last year with 42. Minor details Demoted right fielder Oscar Gonzalez is off to a fast start at Triple-A Columbus, entering Saturday 7-for-21 with a homer and five RBIs over five games. "They say the last couple (games) he's been a little better about not going out of the (strike) zone," Francona said of Gonzalez, who hit .192 in 25 games before being optioned to the minors. Free-agent acquisition Zack Collins looks like he could help Cleveland's sagging offense, leading Columbus with a .343 batting average, eight homers and 35 RBIs over 36 games."He's really swung the bat well since Day 1," Francona said. "He has done really well. There's no denying that."Sometimes it's not just who's hitting but the fit on the club." Catching prospect Bo Naylor had thrown out only 3 of 40 (8 percent) runners attempting to steal through Friday. It comes a year after Naylor threw out 32 percent (23-of-48) for Columbus and Double-A Akron."It's been hard for him because the (pitching) staff he's working with, he has not been in a position to throw successfully, so he's kinda rushing," Francona said. "Me and (first base coach and catching coordinator) Sandy were talking about it, we don't want him to develop some poor habits because he's trying to rush because you've got some pitchers there that are trying to work on their pitches, so it's put in him in a tough spot."But he'll be fine. He can do it. He'll be OK." Roundin' third Shane Bieber, Steven Kwan, Myles Straw and Andres Gimenez were presented with their Gold Gloves prior to Saturday's game. The four Gold Glovers account for the most in franchise history. Cleveland is hitting .282 in the first inning, which was the second-best in the AL through Friday. Today, 11:35 a.m., Peacock; WEOL 930-AM and 100.3-FM, WTAM 1100-AM, WMMS 100.7-FM. Bibee (1-1, 4.30) vs. Sandoval (3-1, 3.41). Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @CAwesomeheimer.