Major Roster Changes for the Cleveland Guardians as Kwan Suffers Setback

The Cleveland Guardians have announced that their left fielder, Steven Kwan, has been benched due to a mid-back inflammation. The injury could explain Kwan’s performance drop in the second half of the season. In response, the Guardians have brought back outfielder Myles Straw from Triple-A Columbus and assigned pitcher Carlos Carrasco for a different role.

Steven Kwan’s Performance Decline Linked to Injury

Steven Kwan’s injury sidelined him for five games, with the change effective from September 14. The team’s manager, Stephen Vogt, initially stated Kwan’s condition as “day to day.” However, further assessments altered this prognosis shortly before the start of their game against Minnesota.

Kwan’s performance has notably dwindled following the All-Star break. Despite leading the MLB with a .352 average earlier in the season, his second-half average has plummeted to .201. This slump coincided with a hamstring injury that benched him for most of May.

Return of Myles Straw: A Potential Boost for the Guardians

Myles Straw, previously designated for assignment at the end of spring training, is back with the Guardians. He served as Cleveland’s regular center fielder for over two seasons, even earning a Gold Glove in 2022. However, Straw’s inconsistent hitting has been a concern. Last season, he averaged .238 with a single home run, 29 RBIs, and 20 steals. Despite these figures, the Guardians are hopeful for an improved performance from the 29-year-old returnee, originally acquired from Houston in 2021.

Carlos Carrasco’s Future with the Guardians

Carlos Carrasco, now in his second term with the Guardians after rejoining them as a free agent in February, faces an uncertain future. The 37-year-old pitcher has been a popular figure in the team, having played in 263 games over 12 seasons with the Guardians. Carrasco’s successful stint includes leading the AL with 18 wins in 2017. However, a left hip strain landed him on the injured list on August 8. As Carrasco awaits his next assignment, his legacy with the Cleveland Guardians remains unshakeable.