CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Guardians announced three major roster moves prior to Tuesday’s first pitch against the Twins.
Cleveland placed All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan on the 10-day injured list. Kwan has missed the last four games with mid-back inflammation. Manager Stephen Vogt has called Kwan “day-to-day” ever since being pulled out of last Friday’s lineup.
Taking his spot on the major league roster is outfielder Myles Straw who will be called up from Triple-A Columbus.
Straw has yet to appear in a game for the Guardians this year. He was sent outright to the Columbus Clippers on March 26th before the season started.
In 123 games with the Clippers this season, Straw has batted .240 with three homers, 47 RBI, and 30 steals. Straw owns a .298 batting average against lefties this year and has gone 9-for-26 (.346) in his last seven games.
The last roster move made by the Guardians on Tuesday was designating Carlos Carrasco for assignment. He was 3-10 with a 5.64 ERA in 21 starts this season with Cleveland.
Carrasco has made one rehab start since being placed on the injured list on August 9th with a left hip strain.
Abracadabra – At 87-64, the Guardians have put themselves in a position where magic numbers have become all the rage.
Coming into play on Tuesday, Cleveland’s magic number to win the AL Central sits at seven. Guardians wins and Royals losses reduce that number, but the club could clinch a playoff spot before finishing their eight-game homestand this week.
The Guardians magic number to make the playoffs is only two. Due to tiebreak scenarios, the earliest they could punch their ticket to the postseason would be on Wednesday.
Cleveland’s seeking their ninth postseason appearance since 2000, the second most behind Minnesota in the AL Central in that span.
“The outside talks about magic numbers, the outside talks about when can they clinch, or they’re on the verge,” Vogt said. “We talk about today, and I think that’s what that group and that clubhouse has done really well. We don’t get ahead of ourselves.”
J-RAM’s B-DAY – September 17th, 2024 marks the 32nd birthday of Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez.
Ramirez has played eight games on his birthday. He’s tallied a hit in his last seven games played on September 17th.
The six-time All-Star has hit a home run on his birthday in each of his last two seasons. Ramirez’s four career homers on his birthday are the most in the team’s franchise history.
