On Tuesday evening, the Cleveland Guardians picked up their second straight win to open up their road series vs the Kansas City Royals in a battle of American League playoff hopefuls. After a more narrow decision on Monday night, Tuesday it was all Cleveland from the jump, as the Guardians defeated the Royals by a final margin of 7-1.

Unfortunately for Cleveland, they did not make it out of the evening unscathed, as first basement Josh Naylor suffered an injury late in the contest that forced his removal from the game. It happened shortly after Naylor hit a single in the eighth inning. When more Guardians got on base, Naylor eventually moved to third base, and then was abruptly removed from the game with what the team is now labeling as an acute back spasm, per MLB.com, forcing the team to replace him on the base paths.

Entering into the game for Cleveland was Jhonkensy Noel, a pinch runner who had the opportunity to replace Nayloy during a pitching chance for the Royals.

Article Continues Below
Related Cleveland Guardians News
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) hits a solo home run in the eighth inning of the MLB game between Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Jose Ramirez’s offensive dominance gets truth bomb from Guardians All-Star teammateRexwell Villas ·
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber is introduced before the home opening game between the Guardians and the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.
Guardians’ Shane Bieber set for massive step toward injury returnJason Patt ·
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) walks off the field against the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park.
Tarik Skubal earns ‘best pitcher’ claim from Guardians’ Stephen VogtScotty White ·
Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize throws against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, April 7, 2025.
Tigers get rotation boost with latest roster movesZachary Howell ·
Cleveland Guardians pinch hitter Brayan Rocchio (4) gets out after three unsuccessful bunt attempts against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Rogers Centre.
3 players Cleveland Guardians fans are already fed up with in 2025Zachary Howell ·
Cleveland Guardians left fielder Oscar Gonzalez (39) reaches base on an error by Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Santiago Espinal (not pictured) in the sixth inning.
Ex-Guardians playoff hero Oscar Gonzalez signs in Japan after MLB declineJosh Davis ·

The good news is that Guardians manager Stephen Vogt doesn't seem to think that the injury will be anything series long term.

“He's fine. He's tested out of the major stuff,” said Vogt after the game. “He's got some lower back tightness. So hopefully that's all better.”

Naylor has been having a solid year for the Guardians, currently hitting .245 with career highs of 29 home runs and 45 RBI's. He has been a huge part of what has been one of the best teams in baseball this year, as the Guardians are one of just a few squads with 80 wins so far on the campaign and currently sit in first place in the AL Central by a comfortable 4.5 games.

In any case, the series with the Royals is set to resume on Wednesday evening.