The Cleveland Guardians selected outfielder Stuart Fairchild from Triple-A Columbus on Friday, filling the active roster spot after placing Steven Kwan on the bereavement and family medical emergency list.
To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the team transferred infielder Gabriel Arias to the 60-day injured list due to a left hamstring strain.
Kwan is eligible to miss three to seven days, sidelining him for the entire weekend series against the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field.
Manager Vogt Addresses Roster Move
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt spoke about the adjustment before the series opener against Boston.
"Obviously our thoughts are with Kwany and his family as they're going through their situation," Vogt said.
"We're going to miss Steven this weekend," he added.
The team will travel to face the New York Yankees on Tuesday following this weekend's series.
Fairchild, 30, signed a Minor League deal on December 20 and played for Chinese Taipei in the World Baseball Classic.
With the Columbus Clippers this season, he posted a . 289/.
417/. 479 slash line, five home runs, and 26 walks in 40 games.
"I felt like I was just being me, playing pretty much every day," Fairchild said of his minor league production.
"Not trying to do too much. Just trying to enjoy where I was at, being where my feet were.
They've got a great group down there. I think that made it easy just to relax and just play well," he added.
Fairchild has major league experience with five organizations, compiling a career . 223 batting average.
The move reunites Fairchild with Vogt, who was a teammate when Fairchild made his major league debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a pinch-runner for the current manager.
"It's a full-circle moment," Fairchild said.
The Guardians currently have limited right-handed hitting options on the active roster, including David Fry, Austin Hedges, and Rhys Hoskins.
Fairchild noted that Vogt called him before he decided where to sign this winter, expressing the Guardians' interest.
"That went a long way in my decision. I've felt welcome ever since I've been here," Fairchild said.
Fairchild has no minor league options remaining, meaning the club must evaluate his performance against left-handed pitchers during this window before deciding whether to expose him to waivers or option Petey Halpin back to Triple-A Columbus.
