Guardians place All-Star OF Steven Kwan on injured list

Cleveland Guardians' All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to mid-back inflammation, which has likely affected his performance in the second half of the season. Kwan has struggled significantly at the plate, dropping from a league-leading .352 batting average at the All-Star break to just .201 since then. This injury has kept him out of the lineup for the last five games, and the team has made the move retroactive to September 14. In response to Kwan's injury, the Guardians have recalled outfielder Myles Straw from Triple-A Columbus. Straw, who previously served as Cleveland's regular center fielder and won a Gold Glove in 2022, had been designated for assignment at the end of spring training. His return comes as the team seeks to bolster their outfield depth, although his hitting has been a concern, as he batted only .238 last season. Additionally, the Guardians designated pitcher Carlos Carrasco for assignment. Carrasco, a veteran who had two stints with the Guardians, was on the injured list due to a left hip strain since August 8. He has been a significant player for the team over the years, leading the American League in wins in 2017 and contributing to the team's success over 12 seasons. Manager Stephen Vogt had anticipated providing a timeline for Kwan's return but only stated that he is currently day-to-day. The Guardians are navigating these roster changes as they aim to maintain their position as leaders in the AL Central division.