Guardians send Steven Kwan to 10-day injured list, activate LHP Sam Hentges

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The cavalry has arrived for the Guardians' bullpen, but Cleveland's outfield will be playing shorthanded in the near future with its two-time Gold Glove winner on the sidelines.

The Guards activated left-hander Sam Hentges from the 15-day injured list prior to Monday's series opener against the Tigers at Progressive Field. Steven Kwan, the American League leader in batting average who was second in hits and runs scored, is heading to the 10-day injured list with a sore left hamstring.

Kwan suffered the injury in the third inning Saturday while making a catch on a foul pop by Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak. He underwent an MRI on Sunday that revealed an acute left hamstring strain. Dr. Mark Schickendantz evaluated Kwan's injury and noted that it will likely take approximately four weeks before he will be ready for major league game activity.

Manager Stephen Vogt told reporters Monday that four weeks is not horrific for a hamstring, but anytime it's hamstring, it's not good.

"Any time without (Kwan) at the top of our order, it's not good," Vogt said. "But sounds like it shouldn't hinder him too long. Just got to make sure that he's back to a hundred percent before we get him back out there."

Kwan's history of previous hamstring issues in college and the minors could give him an advantage in knowing when everything is back to normal, but he is not going to push the issue.

"I know he's going to be smart," Vogt said. "We have a great medical staff. They're going to make sure he's dialed in and ready to go. You can't replace somebody like that, but hopefully he's back soon."

Hentges, 27, had been sidelined with a sore middle finger on his left hand since mid-March. In a related move, the club optioned righty Peter Strzelecki back to Triple-A Columbus to create a spot for Hentges.

The Guardians promoted No. 2 prospect Kyle Manzardo, hitting .304 in 29 games for Columbus, to take Kwan's spot.

Cleveland's bullpen has logged the third-most innings in the American League through its first 34 games at 134 2/3, but has the best total fWAR according to Fangraphs.com at 2.3.

Hentges tossed a scoreless inning Saturday striking out three and walking two in a rehab assignment at Columbus. In six rehab games, Hentges fired 6 2/3 shutout frames with nine strikeouts and four walks.

Hentges missed the first month of the 2023 season as well after dealing with left shoulder inflammation in spring training. When Hentges returned to Cleveland's relief corps on May 6, he gradually worked his way back into a critical role at the back end of the bullpen. Hentges posted a career-long 14-game scoreless streak from July 29 through Aug. 29 and ranked in the 95th percentile of major league pitchers with a 57.7% ground ball rate.

Among relievers with at least 25 inherited runners, Hentges ranked at the top of the league, allowing just two of 29 inherited runners to score (6.9%). His career-high 17 holds ranked third on the club. Over the last two seasons, Hentges has allowed just five home runs in 114 1/3 innings.

Strzelecki, 29, appeared in three games across two stints with Cleveland after he was acquired in mid-April from the Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations. He struck out a pair and did not allow a walk on four hits in four innings.

• Jose Ramirez goes deep in the count and over the fence in Guardians' 11-4 win over Twins
• Rookie didn't expect the big leagues to be easy: Guardians takeaways
• Guardians, Minnesota Twins lineups for May 18, 2024: Game 46

Fanatics Sportsbook10X$100 BONUS BETBET MATCH BONUS

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, KY ,MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV); (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org (MA), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1800gambler.net (WV)