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New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Answering your Guardians questions: DeLauter updates, Kwan's struggles and more
Zack Meisel discussed Steven Kwan's current health, when we can expect to see John Means and how much optimism is a reasonable amount of optimism during a wide-ranging live Q&A with The Athletic subscribers on Friday. Here are some highlights from that live discussion. To see answers to more Guardians questions, read the full Q&A. (Questions and answers have been edited for clarity and length.) Steven Kwan has a long history of quad issues and fading a bit towards the middle of the season. Plus, he's had the wrist thing this year. Is his recent struggle more to do with the wrist or just the usual wear and tear/fatigue? — Matt S. Both he and manager Stephen Vogt said this week that the wrist is not bothering him. Do I believe them? Hard to say. My rule of thumb has always been, if a player doesn't use an injury as an excuse, then why should I? How are we supposed to know exactly how much pain someone is dealing with? After two years of stretches of extremes, I do wonder if Kwan will try to unearth some way to find more middle ground at the plate next year. He's been super streaky. Advertisement John Means is starting his rehab assignment. What are the odds he's ready to give some quality innings by the end of the season? — Scotty H. He'll give them some innings for sure. Hate to hold him to any standard of quality given how little he's pitched the last few years, though. But they'd love to just see enough that convinces them to exercise his option. Zack, do you have an update on prospects Chase DeLauter and Juan Brito? Is there any chance we see either down the stretch to help the offense? — Matthew T. The last update on Brito sounded ominous; it had me thinking that's a late-September call-up, if at all, like Will Brennan and Bo Naylor in 2022. I have no idea what they'll do with DeLauter now, honestly. Does he have to go through their slow build-up process again? That'll take until January. He's a little more than three weeks into a recovery that was expected to take six to eight. So, maybe the same thought as Brito. Any word on when David Fry will start throwing? He was a huge asset last year when he could play any position and was hitting. Only being able to hit has hamstrung the team at times. If pitchers are on a throwing programs a year after Tommy John surgery, is there any chance he would be able to play defense in the playoffs? — Austin G. He's been throwing for a bit now — up to 90 feet as of a couple weeks ago. I'll bring my ruler to the park to see if that's still the case. There have been whispers about whether he could play first base this year, but whenever that gets mentioned, it gets dismissed, which makes sense, since they already have three first basemen on the roster as it is. But having flexibility with him makes him far more valuable. Hey Zack, on the Godcast before this run, you bemoaned the lack of direction in the team's assets. I believe you stated a general lack of enthusiasm for the roster going forward. Has your view there changed? You're closer than your readers, but from afar, it would appear the team has a strong potential rotation going forward, a few good controllable bullpen arms, and positional depth. Am I just being Vogt-like in my optimism, or are there maybe some good days ahead? They're never as bad as they look in a 10-game losing streak and never as great as they look in a hot stretch. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, and that's the case here, too. The Guardians often juggle contending and developing simultaneously, but for a few months, they weren't doing well enough at either. I know it's doubly frustrating for fans because a generational talent on a self-forced generational discount isn't getting younger. Oh, and this was an ALCS team last year. Their top prospect list is filled with intriguing hitters. The key to the entire operation will be making sure they hit on enough of them. That means giving them opportunities and trading the right ones for proven talent. It means getting the timing right on a lot of things. I think there should be optimism! I'm interested to see how it all plays out. (Top photo of Steven Kwan: Nick Cammett / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Reuters
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Guardians LHP John Means goes 2 innings in rehab start
August 10 - Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means made a positive step toward his MLB return from Tommy John surgery, pitching two innings in a bridge game at the team's complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Saturday. It was the first game action for the 32-year-old, who signed with Cleveland this spring after undergoing surgery in June 2024. "(He) pitched really well but (he also) felt great," Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said, per "so that's a really good sign." Means was expected to be evaluated by Cleveland's training and medical staff on Sunday, Vogt said, before the hurler can begin searching for a rehab assignment at the minor league level. "We have to finish the rehab," Vogt said. "There's no rushing it. We don't have a date in mind or anything like that. So, it's step by step. But in a perfect world, he's back healthy and he could be an option for us down the stretch." A 2019 All-Star, Means is 23-26 in 78 games, which includes 73 starts, to go along with a 3.68 ERA and 334 strikeouts. He spent the first seven years of his career with Baltimore, although he was limited to just 10 starts over the past three seasons due to injuries. --Field Level Media
