Guardians Insider Announces The Signing Of Sensational Star Pitcher from the New York Yankees
The Cleveland Guardians are getting some excellent news on the injury front.
Gold Glove-winning left fielder and leadoff hitter Steven Kwan, who had been on the shelf since early-May with a hamstring strain, is back in the Guardians lineup where he belongs, at the top.
“Steven Kwan is back and leading off for the Guardians tonight,” Guardians insider Zack Meisel tweeted.
The Guardians’ offense was able to hold down the fort while Kwan was gone and as a result, they lead the AL Central by a comfortable three-game margin over the Kansas City Royals.
Kwan, however, is needed as Cleveland’s schedule starts to get tougher.
His on-base skills, excellent contact ability, and incredible defense will all be welcomed on the Guards.
A steady presence on the bases, Kwan has been instrumental in the Guards’ offense.
He is also one of the big reasons behind Josh Naylor and, particularly, Jose Ramirez’s incredibly high RBI totals.
Kwan was slashing a cool .353/.407/.496 with a .903 OPS in 32 games at the time of suffering his hamstring injury.
He has met the team rehab standards and played in multiple minor league games before being activated.
To make room for Kwan on the roster, the Guards designated fellow outfielder Estevan Florial for assignment.
Now that they have Kwan again, Cleveland adds another dangerous, skilled hitter to an improving offense that in addition to boasting two premier run-producers in J-Ram and Naylor also has two exciting rookies (Johnathan Rodriguez and Kyle Manzardo), the surging David Fry, the steady Andres Gimenez, and unsung contributors such as Will Brennan and Tyler Freeman.
Somehow, the New York Yankees went from having next to no outfield to … having the best outfield of all time? Pretty good times. But you simply must wonder why they couldn’t employ a left fielder — or even a semblance of one — following Brett Gardner’s departure.
One of their potential options was former top prospect Estevan Florial, who turned out to be nothing more than a Triple-A legend. It seems the Cleveland Guardians found that out after employing him for a few months, too.
Florial, who ended up in Cleveland when the Yankees shipped him off in exchange for pitcher Cody Morris, was just designated for assignment by the Guards because of his inability to produce on the offensive side of the ball.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are utilizing Morris meaningfully after the injury to Clarke Schmidt, as the pitching staff depth has taken yet another hit. Morris could be a steal, too, if we’re to believe Baseball America.
Whatever the case, Florial is now exposed to waivers after batting just .173 with a .631 OPS, 11 runs scored, 3 homers and 11 RBI in 36 games (111 plate appearances). Sound familiar, Yankees fans?
