Steven Kwan’s Scheduled Medical Evaluation

On September 13, 2024, the Cleveland Guardians’ All-Star left fielder, Steven Kwan, was revealed to be undergoing medical checks on his back. This announcement came after Kwan was unexpectedly withdrawn from the Friday night match against Tampa Bay.

The Unexpected Lineup Change

Kwan was originally poised to play in his usual opening position in Cleveland’s lineup. However, just two hours prior to the game’s commencement, the Guardians declared that Kwan would sit out the game due to what was initially termed as “body fatigue”.

Post-Game Revelations

Following the Guardians’ 3-1 defeat to the Rays, the team’s manager, Stephen Vogt, disclosed that Kwan was struggling with “back soreness”. The manager further stated that Kwan was scheduled for tests, although it remained uncertain whether the tests had already been conducted or were due for Saturday.

Kwan’s Earlier Health Struggles

Kwan, aged 27, has had previous health complications, having missed a month of the season due to a hamstring strain. His issues with hamstring injuries trace back to his days at Oregon State.

Kwan’s Impactful Career

Despite these setbacks, Kwan has rapidly established himself as one of the American League’s premier leadoff hitters in just three seasons. He showcased an impressive batting average of .400 during the first two months of the season, securing his position as the MLB’s leading batter with an average of .352 at the All-Star break.

Performance Dip in Second Half

However, the second half of the season has seen a noticeable dip in Kwan’s performance. His batting average stands at .291 due to a 6-for-39 slump. Despite this, the two-time Gold Glove winner has remained a reliable presence in the field, recording his ninth assist in the preceding Thursday’s match.

Repercussions of Kwan’s Absence

With Kwan’s absence on Friday, rookie Daniel Schneemann took his place but failed to make an impact, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. As Kwan’s condition continues to be monitored, the Guardians will be hoping for a swift recovery and return of their star player.