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Guardians Make Unexpected Steven Kwan Decision Before Athletics Game

Jul 18, 2025 4:20 PM EDT

Left fielder Steven Kwan is in his fourth season in MLB with the Cleveland Guardians, having quickly emerged as a focal point at the top of their lineup with his disciplined approach at the plate.

The 27-year-old star was selected in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Oregon State University and made his Guardians’ debut in 2022.

Kwan immediately set the tone for Cleveland’s offense in his first season, which saw him earn a third-place finish in AL Rookie of the Year voting.

He is most well-known for his bat-to-ball skills—striking out just 220 times in 2,300 plate appearances—and for his exceptional defense in left field, earning a Gold Glove Award in three consecutive seasons.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan (38)

Kwan was selected to his second consecutive All-Star Game this year and took the field on Tuesday at Truist Park for the American League.

After two days off since then, the Guardians unexpectedly left him out of the starting lineup for Friday’s game against the Athletics, marking the first time he’s been excluded from the order in over a month. He is listed as day-to-day with a right wrist issue that has been bothering him and received an injection on Wednesday, via Tim Stebbins.

This season, Kwan has continued to establish himself as one of the game’s most well-rounded players: over 92 games, he is batting .285 with a .741 OPS while adding 11 stolen bases and six home runs.

With Cleveland having a disappointing 46–49 record after reaching the ALCS in 2024, Kwan’s name has appeared in trade rumors and Cleveland could ship him off if they fall further out of playoff contention.