The Cleveland Guardians announced on Friday that outfielder Estevan Florial has been designated for assignment. His spot on Cleveland’s active roster will go to outfielder Steven Kwan, who’s been reinstated from the 15-day injured list.
Acquired from the Yankees in December, Estevan Florial made Cleveland’s Opening Day roster but has struggled to get going offensively. The 26-year-old outfielder is slashing .173/.264/.367 with 11 RBI across 36 games with the Guardians this season. Florial has displayed power with three homers, six doubles, and two triples, but his 36.9% strikeout rate is staggering. Strikeouts are nothing new for Florial, who boasts a 33.5% career strikeout in 84 games in the majors. His contact problems were a big reason the Yankees kept Florial in Triple-A for so long.
Our roster move of the day.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/7cAcijrvrx
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) May 31, 2024
Guardians Designate Florial For Assignment And Reinstate Kwan
With the Guardians reinstating Steven Kwan from the 10-day injured list, Kwan will take Florial’s spot on the active roster. Kwan has been sidelined for the past four weeks with a left hamstring strain he suffered on May 4th.
Before his injury, Kwan was one of the top hitters in the American League, batting .353 with three homers and 11 RBI. Whether Kwan can maintain such production levels after a four-week gap between major league at-bats remains to be seen. He will reclaim his role as the Guardian’s leadoff hitter for Friday’s series opener against the Nationals.
Cleveland has the second-best record in the American League at 37-19, going 17-7, while Kwan was on the injured list after starting the season 20-12.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Kwan back,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said ahead of Friday’s contest. “He’s worked hard. It’s a credit to him, the staff, and everybody who got him back quickly. You can’t say enough about what he means for us in the leadoff spot.”
Having shuffled between Triple-A and the Yankees roster for three seasons, Florial is now out of minor-league options. Estevan Florial has a week to clear waivers before the Guardians can send him to the minors. Since he has been outrighted once before, Florial could reject the assignment and elect free agency if he clears waivers.
Vogt said Florial has “a ton of potential, a ton of skill” and described him as a great person and a big part of the team, but the Guardians had to make a tough decision to let him go.
Main Photo Credits: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
