Guardians Set Off Alarm Bells for Kwan Yesterday

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 09: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians bats in the fifth inning during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Saturday, May 9, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Leigh Bacho/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images Yesterday’s loss to the Minnesota Twins looks like an inflection point for the Cleveland Guardians’ leadoff hitter, Steven Kwan. In the bottom of the 8th inning, with the Guardians trailing 5-3, David Fry and Brayan Rocchio singled to leadoff an inning against right-handed reliever Luis Garcia.

For his career, Garcia has been a very serviceable relief pitcher with a 4. 20 ERA. However, he is 39 years old and, as of today, has an ERA of 10.

50 and an FIP of 6. 12. So, to be clear, while potentially a competent middle reliever, not someone that an all-star hitter hitting leadoff should feel anything less than fully confident to get a hit or a walk.

Enter Steven Kwan. As of today, he has a 67 wRC+. He is having an awful year, no doubt.