'Someone's gonna have to step up' after Guardians lose Ramírez

CLEVELAND -- José Ramírez has seen the contributions the Guardians have received across their roster this season, including from up-and-coming players who have helped Cleveland sit atop the AL Central standings as we approach the campaign’s halfway point.

Ramírez is confident the group has what it takes to hold things down in his stead.

“I trust wholeheartedly in them, and I know that we're going to be able to keep competing,” Ramírez said through team interpreter Agustin Rivero. “I know we're going to be able to compete for the playoffs when I’m not around.”

The Guardians have no other choice. To reach the postseason, they must survive an extended stretch without their superstar.

• What is the hamate and why are so many players injuring theirs?

The Guardians placed Ramírez on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a left hamate fracture, an issue that will require surgery that had not yet been scheduled as of Sunday morning, according to manager Stephen Vogt.

Infielder Gabriel Arias (left hamstring strain) was activated off the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Outfielder George Valera was designated for assignment to make space for him on the 40-man roster.

The Guardians are working through the logistics, but Vogt acknowledged Ramírez will likely miss five to seven weeks. One way or another, Cleveland will be without the 33-year-old until after the All-Star break. At that point, we’ll be approaching the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline.

Where will the Guardians (39-33, with a half-game division lead over the White Sox entering play Sunday) sit in the postseason picture? How will that impact their calculus?

“That's part of life,” Ramírez said of getting injured. “I just thank God for giving me an opportunity to play, and obviously, those are things that are going to happen. I'm not upset. It's just part of the game, and I’ve just got to keep going.”

Ramírez hit a foul popout to catcher Dillon Dingler in the bottom of the fifth on Saturday. He felt something out of the ordinary and heard a “pop” on the swing. He tried to remain in the game because Cleveland was shorthanded (Angel Martínez and Chase DeLauter exited earlier with injuries), but he could not.

Ramírez fractured his right hamate in 2019, underwent surgery on Aug. 26 and returned to Cleveland's lineup on Sept. 24. If you want more reason for optimism, Francisco Lindor and Corbin Carroll both underwent surgery for a hamate fracture on Feb. 11 this year. Both were ready for Opening Day on March 26.

Of course, no two injuries are the same. Ramírez returned in 2019 when Cleveland was fighting to make the postseason. There’s no sense in rushing him before he’s fully ready at this point on the calendar.

The Guardians need others to step up.

“He's been our dog, and someone's gonna have to step up,” outfielder Steven Kwan said. “But we still have a brand of baseball that doesn't rely on one person, so I think we just have to continue that. I think it's making sure people aren’t trying harder. That's all you can control.

“When you lose the top guy, it’s hard. But you can't reinvent the wheel at the same time, either.”

Arias was Cleveland's Opening Day shortstop, but he was preparing for a utility role during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus. Brayan Rocchio emerged at shortstop in his absence. Vogt noted that Arias is “back to play third base.” He was set to start there before Sunday's game was postponed.

Arias has made 51 career appearances (40 starts) at third, logging -2 Outs Above Average. He’s still working up to playing every day, so the Guardians will be mindful of his usage. Daniel Schneemann and David Fry are two additional third-base options.

There’s no replacing Ramírez in Cleveland’s lineup. His production has been lower than his standard this season, but he’s come on strong since Vogt moved him to the No. 2 spot in the lineup on May 13. Over 28 games since, Ramírez has slashed .283/.342/.491 with 10 doubles, four home runs and 10 walks with 16 strikeouts.

Rocchio was set to hit second on Sunday. Vogt expects to mix and match within the lineup.

“We just have to see how it plays out,” Vogt said. “Our lineup ebbs and flows. When you take a steady guy out like Hosey, it's going to be all hands on deck.”

Ace Shane Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2024. Last July, closer Emmanuel Clase and starter Luis Ortiz went on leave amid MLB investigations. Cleveland had to rally from a 15 1/2-game deficit to win the division.

Vogt’s teams overcame adversity to make the postseason the past two seasons. They must do so again.

“This group is so resilient,” Vogt said. “We know the hit of not having Hosey for the next little bit, but it's other guys' opportunities to step up.”