Guardians notes: Steven Kwan defends Guardians for encouraging him to play in All-Star Game

CLEVELAND — Don't blame the Guardians for encouraging Steven Kwan to play in the All-Star Game despite nursing a sore right wrist. Kwan said it was his decision to play. "I talked to them. Obviously, I wanted to play with the best in the world, and (the Guardians) fully supported me on that, which I really appreciated," Kwan said prior to Saturday's game against the Athletics. "I wanted to be responsible about it, just playing the game. I didn't do any (batting practice). I just stood out there for the shagging stuff, but didn't try to go too crazy with it. Just try to get in the game and play what I could." Kwan is glad he participated, creating a lasting memory when his infield single tied the game with two outs in the ninth inning Tuesday in Atlanta. "My heart was beating out of my chest, so that was really cool," Kwan said of his at-bat off Mets closer Edwin Diaz, who needed only one more strike to end the game. "It was kind of reminiscent of my debut days. Obviously, just meeting those guys for the first couple days and then being able to celebrate something like that. They were congratulating me. That was really cool." "Guards Ball" was on full display when Kwan hit a chopper to third and beat the throw to first to plate the tying run. "The Yankee (coaching) staff knew about it, which was funny," he said of the nickname for Cleveland's brand of play. "So we got in (the dugout) and they're all looking at me, shaking their heads, saying, 'Guards Ball,' and I couldn't help but laugh at that. "I think (Guardians manager Stephen Vogt) was whispering in their ears for that as well, but the words came out of their mouths, which was funny." As far as the injury is concerned, Kwan was out of the lineup for the second straight game out of the break, but Vogt said the left fielder could return for the series finale with the A's on Sunday. "I don't think this is an IL case at all," Vogt said. "He's feeling better each day, so we'll monitor him day by day, obviously, but (Sunday's) a big day. Every day's a big day. Got to see how he feels day to day." Kwan was examined by team doctors Wednesday and received an injection for the injury he first sustained on a head-first slide into second during a series against the Dodgers at Progressive Field on May 26-28. "It's just been kind of lingering ever since," Kwan said. "It's been getting better certain times and something will happen, it'll get worse. I think we were trying to forego the shot and just try to see if it could get better on its own, but back in Houston (July 7-10) I took a big swing and it kind of flared up again. I think that's when we were just like, 'I think we need to just get a shot and be done with it, especially if we're going to have a strong second half. I want to make sure I'm 100 percent for that run." With the trade deadline approaching July 31, this is the time players are mentioned in rumors, including Kwan, who along with closer Emmanuel Clase, was linked to a blockbuster deal with the Dodgers. "It's all just people who are just speculating on a lot of those things," said Kwan, who is signed through 2027. "I think if I'm going to dig into those things, then I'm also digging into those guys that are saying that I suck and I lost them money on whatever, and partly it's all just people talking. It's all noise. I think those moments, you just have to rely on the teammates and each other." Vogt's advice to his players? Don't listen. "I haven't seen any trade rumors, so I don't know what our players see," he said. "They are what they are, they're rumors. It's the hardest time of year. We talked about it last year. We're going to talk about it next year. The best thing you can do is keep your head down, stay off social media, stay out of the news because that's all it is, is noise until deals are done one way or the other way. "But it's always going to be this way. The two weeks leading up to the trade deadline, our players can allow whatever noise they want into their heads and so I advised them to just don't read anything because none of it's true." Junior is mint Players swear by Cleveland's new addition to the hitting staff, Junior Betances, who has worked with multiple players on the big league roster, including Jose Ramirez. "I've been with them a long time, when they just started rookie ball," Betances said. "I think the relationship with them is very tight. I know them a long time. I know what they are doing, so they feel comfortable when I'm working with them." "He was a great player. He didn't have that power yet, but he got great bat-to-ball (skills)," Betances said of his first impression of Ramirez. "Aggressive, his instincts and the way he plays hard every day. That was impressive. He is still the same but with more power now." In addition to his hitting knowledge, Betances can relate well to the multiple Latin players in the Guardians' organization. "I think it's so important because they are more comfortable and they can play better. When you feel comfortable and you're happy, you play better," he said. Roundin' third Guardians relievers entered Saturday with a 1.90 ERA in 14 July games, accounting for the lowest in the American League and second-lowest in the majors behind Miami's 1.66. The opposition was batting .150 over the span through Friday. … Sunday, 1:40, Williams (5-4, 3.70) vs. Springs (8-6, 3.93). Guardians TV; WOBL 1320-AM and 107.7-FM, WTAM 1100-AM, WMMS 100.7-FM. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on X @CAwesomeheimer.