CLEVELAND -- Saturday already was shaping up to be a brutal day for the Guardians on the health front. It only managed to get worse as the afternoon went along.
And now, the AL Central-leading Guardians are going to have to figure out how to keep their season rolling in the right direction without their heart and soul on the field.
Superstar third baseman José Ramírez suffered a fractured left hamate bone on Saturday in the Guardians’ 3-1 win over the Tigers at Progressive Field. Manager Stephen Vogt revealed the injury postgame, after Ramírez was forced to exit following the fifth inning.
Ramírez, who has played in each of the Guardians’ 72 games this season, was placed on the injured list Sunday morning. Infielder Gabriel Arias was activated off the 60-day IL in a corresponding move, and outfielder George Valera was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
A scan confirmed Ramírez’s injury, which Vogt noted he first felt in the fifth inning on a swing that produced a foul popout to Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler. Given the Guardians were already playing two men down, Ramírez attempted to push through what he was feeling.
Outfielders Angel Martínez and Chase DeLauter had exited the game earlier due to left foot and right rib injuries, respectively.
“He tried to go back out,” Vogt said. “He knew the position we were in, grabbed his glove. He said, ‘Maybe I can at least play defense,’ and couldn't squeeze his glove. [He] wanted to get back out there to help us win that game and just couldn't.”
While the Guardians will have a more precise timetable for Ramírez (who was seen wearing a splint on his hand in the clubhouse postgame) in the coming days, we know this is an injury that requires surgery. It could lead to Ramírez’s absence extending into July.
Ramírez suffered a right hamate fracture in 2019 and underwent surgery on Aug. 26. He was given a return timetable of five to seven weeks but ultimately rejoined the starting lineup after just one month, on Sept. 24. He went 2-for-3 with two home runs (including a grand slam) and seven RBIs against the White Sox.
However, that expedited return came when Cleveland was pushing for a postseason spot. A five-to-seven-week return timetable this time around could keep Ramírez sidelined into the All-Star break.
“It sucks, man,” Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo said. “We're going to have to grind without him for a little bit. But knowing him, I know he's going to do everything he can to get back out there as quick as possible.”
Ramírez appeared in good spirits when he popped into the clubhouse postgame, and at one point appeared to be offering encouragement to teammates who will now have to step up in his absence.
Ramírez, of course, is the most indispensable player on Cleveland’s entire roster and the most crucial to its success. His durability is at the center of his superstardom, and even in a season in which his production has been lower than his elite standard, we know as well as any of the Guardians’ opponents what he’s capable of.
Ramírez has also been heating up. The 33-year-old entered Saturday slashing .293/.326/.512 with three doubles, two home runs and four RBIs over 10 games in June. He slashed .228/.341/.397 with 14 doubles and 10 home runs in 61 games through May.
Where could the Guardians turn for production with Ramírez out? Second baseman Travis Bazzana and shortstop Brayan Rocchio will loom even larger for the infield picture. Both players have been key to Cleveland’s lineup this season.
The biggest question is whom the Guardians could turn to at third base. Daniel Schneemann is the lone candidate who was already on the active roster. The Swiss Army knife has made 63 career appearances at third (including a shift to the hot corner on Saturday after Ramírez exited), 43 of which were starts.
Cleveland had been preparing the 26-year-old Arias for a utility role during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus. Arias has made one start at each of shortstop, second and third base and right field during his rehab.
Arias has made 51 appearances in the Majors at third base, including 40 starts. If he’s ready to return, he could slot in there, if not serve as the right-handed end of a platoon with Schneemann.
In addition, versatile third catcher David Fry has played third base twice this season, among other positions. He has made just seven career appearances in the Majors at the position, which have spanned 18 innings.
Whatever the Guardians do, it’s obvious that one man alone isn’t going to replace a player who’s a likely future Hall of Famer.
“Obviously, Hosey for years and years and years has carried us,” catcher Austin Hedges said. “But what makes us great is the rest of the guys that feed off of his energy and the leader that he is. He makes everybody around him great. So now it’s those guys’ turn to pick him up, like he always does for us. And that's exactly what those guys will do.”