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'A tough start': Slumping Nolan Jones snaps out of it after Steven Kwan's injury
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- 'A tough start': Slumping Nolan Jones snaps out of it after Steven Kwan's injury
CLEVELAND — Sometimes being ripped from a regular routine can be helpful during a slump, even if the circumstances aren't ideal on paper.
For at least a day, it worked for Nolan Jones , and it all played a key part in the Guardians winning the finale of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and snapping a four-game losing streak.
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It hasn't been a positive 2025 for Jones. The most accurate word to describe his season to this point might be brutal, and he might be the first to say it.
After a tremendous 2023 season with the Colorado Rockies during which he hit .297 with a .389 on-base percentage, a .931 OPS, 20 home runs and 22 doubles in 106 games, he effectively had a lost 2024. His average and OBP free fell to .227 and .321, respectively.
His 2025 has continued that downward slide. Entering the game Wednesday, May 28, he was hitting just .175 with 41 strikeouts in 126 at-bats — the worst stretch of his career.
"Obviously have had a tough one, a tough start, no secret [there]," Jones said.
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So, considering that, and the Dodgers tossing future Hall-of-Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw , the chances of Jones entering Wednesday's game were slim, at least until the later innings.
But that was before All-Star left fielder Steven Kwan suddenly exited the game in the fourth inning with a right wrist injury. Jones entered the game in place of Kwan in what was a less-than-perfect scenario. He went on to have his best game of the year, finishing with three hits — two against lefties — including a score-tying, two-run single during the Guardians' five-run eighth.
Cleveland Guardians' Nolan Jones hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 28, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
It was a one-day reprieve from the pressures of being a major leaguer struggling through an extended slump. It can be an icy daily experience. This isn't Jones' first slump, but it might be his most severe.
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"The first time you're struggling in the major leagues, it's tough," Jones said. "You're on TV every night. People are messaging you and everything else, and it's real. And I think being able to tune that out and know that I've been through it, the hardest thing is to believe you belong in the big leagues. And I've been really good in the big leagues, so I'm able to put my trust in that and continue working."
The Guardians have been on a near-constant search for production in right field for several years and simply haven't been able to find it for more than a few weeks at a time. Jones had had terrific stretches before, but Cleveland hasn't seen it yet.
When Jones was at his best, he was hitting lefties hard as well, giving perhaps more optimism to his multi-hit day off lefties in the May 28 win. The Guardians hope it might shake something loose with his swing, similar to how the sudden entry into Wednesday's game might have shaken something loose with his routine, which led to positive results and comeback win.
"Mechanically, my body was working really well, staying on the ball, I was able to stay through it," Jones said of what he had done when he's hit lefties well in the past. "I was able to be on time with fastballs and [stay through] off-speed, and that's something I've really struggled with this year, is being able to be on time with multiple pitches."
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Jones added he knows opportunities "are earned," so he's understood the dip in playing time. Days like Wednesday are his ticket to more at-bats.
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt takes the ball from pitcher Andrew Walters (63) during a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 25, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Guardians recall Andrew Walters to make 2025 debut; Nic Enright optioned to Triple-A
The Guardians recalled reliever Andrew Walters to make his season debut in the May 28 win. Walters took the place of Nic Enright, who made his MLB debut over the weekend in Detroit , on the 26-man roster.
Cleveland's bullpen hasn't been able to replicate its dominant 2024 season thus far ( 4.09 collective ERA in 2025), so the Guardians have been anxious for Walters' return.
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Walters was a weapon toward the end of the year during the Guardians' historic season in the bullpen in 2024, allowing just one hit in 8⅔ innings. But a series of injuries and multiple setbacks in Arizona and then Triple-A Columbus delayed his start to the regular season.
Through it all, Walters torched Triple-A hitting, striking out 23 hitters in 12 innings. He had been working on a splitter last fall, but it has been implemented further in 2025.
"They're working in different pitches, pounding the zone down there [in Triple-A]," Walters said of what he was told in the minor leagues. "Splitter's been playing well, brought that in a little towards the end of the year last year and it's playing well for me."
Steven Kwan injury update
Manager Stephen Vogt noted after the May 28 game that Kwan had some "wrist discomfort," and the Guardians figured they'd err on the side of caution with an off day May 29. Vogt added Kwan should be "good to go" for the game Friday, May 30.
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Cleveland's outfield depth has taken a hit with Lane Thomas dealing with plantar fasciitis. His status is day to day.
Luis Ortiz is expected to start Friday, with Slade Cecconi pitching Saturday, May 31. Cecconi had his start pushed back a few days because of a groin injury.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians outfielder Nolan Jones replaces Steven Kwan with 3-hit game
