Guardians star outfielder Kwan exits early due to wrist inflammation and can return on Friday, US time

The Guardians' 7-4 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday was unattended: All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan was absent from the court during the four-inning warm-up. The team then announced his early retirement due to a right wrist injury, with Nolan Jones taking over in the left fieldfield. Although the exact timing of the injury is unknown, footage of a right-hand flick after hitting a throw-in against Clayton Kershaw in the first game was captured on camera.

"It was purely a precautionary consideration," explained head coach Stephen Vogt, "who felt uncomfortable swinging the bat, and given the 48-hour break before the next game, withdrawing was the safest option." The team confirmed that Kwan does not need to be on the injured list and is expected to play in Friday's game against the Marlins.

Jones, who came in as a substitute, was the hero of the comeback: three hits and three hits, a key hit at second base in eight innings, and then a three-pointer from Angel Martínez to run back to the lead. "The season started really hard," admits Jones, who has an OPS of just 0.568, "and I didn't expect to be able to play six innings earlier, but I was ready to go." "

Without hits in the first two games of the season, he hit .314/.374/.429 in 53 games this season, tied for fifth in the league with 66 bats, and topped the team with 2.3 wins (Baseball Reference). His absence is a huge blow to the Guardians, who have been sidelined for two games in a row with plantar fasciitis on his right foot.

Walter revealed that Thomas has suffered a recurrence of an old injury and was evaluated Wednesday to miss the series. The outfielder, who started the season with just 17 appearances this season, suffered a contusion to his right wrist bone in the opening game at home on April 8 and ended his four-week injury list on Thursday. The Guardians' right field offensive stats are dismal: batting percentage of .159, base attendance of .229, batting percentage of .248, and weighted point creation value of 35 are all at the bottom of the league.

Jones (28 starts in 35 games) and Jhonkensy Noel (20 starters in 36 games) are the main right fielders this season, with the latter currently having an OPS of just 0.412. Guan's health will be a key variable in the Guardians' outfield offensive and defensive system.