CLEVELAND -- José Ramírez popped into the Guardians’ clubhouse for a few moments Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field, donning a soft cast on his left wrist. The 33-year-old stopped at his locker, and then exchanged pleasantries with a few reporters.
After briefly discussing his rehab from left hamate fracture surgery, Ramírez had one parting message: “I want to play, bro.”
Ramírez is weeks away from rejoining the Guardians’ lineup. He fractured his hamate on June 13 and underwent surgery three days later. Afterward, the Guardians said his expected recovery timeline was five to seven weeks.
Ramírez is a ways away from being able to impact the Guardians on the field. But the club has enjoyed being back around him, Angel Martínez and Chase DeLauter (both of whom are also on the 10-day injured list) this weekend after the trio remained in Cleveland during the club’s recent nine-game road trip.
“We missed Hosey, Angel and Chase on this last road trip,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Just to have them back in the clubhouse around the guys, it’s been a great pick-me-up.”
The Guardians have certainly missed them on the field. Entering Saturday, Cleveland had scored just 32 runs in 10 games without Ramírez, Martínez (non-displaced left foot fracture) and DeLauter (right rib cage fracture). All three were injured in the span of five innings on June 13, and are each progressing at their own pace.
DeLauter is the closest to coming off the IL. Vogt has noted the Guardians hope the 24-year-old returns during the club’s current 10-game homestand. DeLauter went through a pregame workout on Saturday in which he participated in on-field batting practice and took flyballs in right field.
Like Ramírez, Martínez has a longer timeline. The Guardians said on June 16 the 24-year-old is expected to miss four to six weeks. However, he’s no longer wearing a walking boot, and he has been hitting off of a tee and playing catch in between rounds of treatment.
Martínez noted Saturday he’s feeling “way, way better.” His teammates being back in Cleveland has also helped uplift his spirits.
“It felt like a while. I was really sad,” Martínez said. “I had to watch the games on TV. Now that they're here, it’s really exciting.”
No player wants to miss any time, though Martínez acknowledged it has helped having the company of Ramírez and DeLauter. They have provided support to one another during a tough time in multiple ways.
Ramírez has been throwing, but his glove hand is obviously immobilized. So Martínez has been serving as his catcher.
“We’re always gonna support each other, especially in this type of moment that we wouldn't like to happen,” Martínez said. “So we'll be supporting each other and cheering each other up to get better and help the team.”
Martínez’s timeline could line him up to return in mid-to-late July, between the All-Star break (July 13-16) and the Trade Deadline (Aug. 3). He’s eager to get back, but he knows there is no rushing the process.
“It’s just day by day, you know,” Martínez said. “Just take it day by day, and hopefully be back before the time that they give.”