Guardians: Cooper Ingle promoted from Triple-A Columbus to make MLB debut

CLEVELAND — Triple-A Columbus' Cooper Ingle was hanging out with teammate Trent Denholm at the Clippers' hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday, when there was a knock on the door. Thinking it was housekeeping, they ignored the rapping one more time before finally answering. It wasn't someone bringing fresh towels and linen. It was Clippers manager Andy Tracy informing Ingle he had been promoted to the majors. Opportunity was truly knocking at the door. "Trace comes in and I was like, 'OK, well this is different.' He's never came into my hotel room," said Ingle, who was officially promoted from the minors Friday. Stuart Fairchild was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot. "I was out of the lineup that day (for the Clippers) and he was saying, 'If someone got hurt today or we needed you to pinch hit, would that be fine?' And then he kind of retracted that and was like, 'Well, you don't have to worry about it. You're going to the bigs.' It was a pretty cool moment." The first call Ingle made was to his parents. "It was an awesome moment, really emotional," he said. "It's something you worked for your entire life … back in the day when I was in Little League playing with my dad. That's the dream." Ingle, 24, made his MLB debut in the series opener against Seattle at Progressive Field on Friday night, serving as the DH and batting fifth. There's no doubt Ingle got the call to the big leagues thanks to a rash of injuries that has struck down the top three hitters in the order, Angel Martinez, Jose Ramirez and Chase DeLauter. But he's shown vast improvement at Triple-A from last year, batting .284 with 12 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .967 OPS over 51 games this season. "I just think this year I'm a lot more physical than I was in the past," Ingle said. "I wouldn't say I didn't take care of my body in the past, but I've really tried to stay on top of it this year, this offseason, being out in Arizona with the strength staff there and the nutrition staff, as well as putting on about 15 pounds. "I think I've been able to impact the baseball more, and my given traits as a player, I have good swing decisions and make a lot of contact, so being able to impact the ball more was a big key for me." A catcher by trade and for nearly all of his minor league career, Ingle, a fourth-round draft choice in 2023, has returned to the outfield for the first time since college at Clemson. He is expected to play mostly in left field and at DH for the Guardians. "I think he's always got the ability to go behind the plate. We feel like where the team needs him right now is to (play outfield and DH)," manager Stephen Vogt said. "Honestly, I like it a lot," Ingle said. "It's been fun, just being able to be a part of the game and running around out there. Getting a lay of the land when you're getting to the field and being able to get comfortable out there pregame is going to help you for the game. I think just being able to read balls off the bat is ultimately what makes a good outfielder." Ingle joins a youth-laden roster that includes six rookies — seven if DeLauter is counted. He is the ninth player to make his MLB debut for Vogt this season, including 2024's first overall pick Travis Bazzana. "It's fun. You're going to get mistakes. You're going to have things that are happening for the first time," Vogt said. "Let's not forget Travis Bazzana's going to play in his what, 49th game tonight? And he's been so great for us at the top of the order. It's fun to watch guys learn in front of you and it creates really good coaching opportunities for the staff. "These guys are expected to come up here and help us win games and they're seeing pitches for the first time that they've never seen in their life, facing guys they've never seen before. We're asking a lot of these young players and they're answering it. It's going to take some growing pains. It's going to take some time, but I couldn't be more thrilled and proud of the way our young guys have handled this transition." Now, it's Ingle's turn. "It's exciting. I've been keeping track of (the Guardians) all year," he said. "Me and Travis roomed together this year (at Columbus). We were watching the highlights every day. And just to see his success and stuff like that and seeing the team win and just blessed to be able to be a part of it." Doctor's office Vogt was asked about his three players on the injured list, Ramirez (hamate bone surgery), DeLauter (right rib fracture) and Martinez (left foot fracture). "DeLauter is trending very well. We're hoping he's going to be active at some point this homestand (through July 5)," said Vogt. "So, nothing really new, other than he is continuing to progress the way we'd like him to." "Angel and Hosey, (there's) really no update. They're both still recovering, Hosey from surgery and Angel from the broken foot. It's just good to see them. We missed them on this road trip. I know they missed us and as you guys know, those two can brighten up a room real quick." Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on X.