CLEVELAND -- The decibel level inside Progressive Field began to rise in the bottom of the first inning on Wednesday. It crescendoed into a roar as José Ramírez approached home plate, with the Cleveland faithful embracing the 33-year-old with a standing ovation.
No. 11 was officially back.
The Guardians activated Ramírez off the 10-day injured list prior to their 10-6 loss to the Twins . Sidelined since fracturing his left hamate on June 13, Ramírez went 2-for-5 with two RBIs in his return.
Outfielder Kahlil Watson was optioned to Triple-A Columbus to make room for Ramírez on the active roster.
“Obviously we're all ecstatic that Hosey's back,” manager Stephen Vogt said before the game.
So, too, was Ramírez.
Wednesday marked five weeks and one day since he underwent surgery on his hamate on June 16. Ramírez was given a timetable of five to seven weeks, and he ultimately bypassed a rehab assignment en route to his activation.
“Thank God that I’m back,” Ramírez said through team interpreter Agustin Rivero. “It’s hard to explain, but it’s real. That sensation of not being able to be in the lineup is something you can feel. I was really looking forward to being back after a month away.”
The Guardians took things one day at a time in this process, keeping the big picture in mind with so much left to play for this season. But they also leaned upon Ramírez, a 14-year veteran who knows his body best and understands what he needs to be ready to play.
Ramírez remained physically active after the surgery. He got the stitches removed from his hand on June 30, and soon after, he advanced into starting his hitting progression. He told Vogt he was good to go after his day of work on Tuesday.
“It was just a process,” Ramírez said. “We followed everything the training room was suggesting, which is customary for a hamate surgery. Everything they told me, I was trying to follow.”
“Hosey’s about winning,” Vogt said. “He's not going to come back if he doesn't believe that he can help us win. So it's full trust in him, full trust in the medical staff. Everybody is on board with him being back in there today.”
The Guardians went 15-15 without Ramírez. At 54-49, they're one game behind the White Sox (54-47) for first place in the AL Central.
They did well to tread water in Ramírez's absence. But Cleveland also ranked 28th in the Majors in runs scored (121) and 26th in OPS (.690) in 30 games without its superstar.
Ramírez is an obvious boost as Cleveland turns its attention toward pushing for a postseason spot. Though his numbers this season are down from his typical elite standard, Ramírez has been productive and a driving force for Cleveland offensively this season. He has a .758 OPS with 18 doubles, 10 home runs, 24 stolen bases and 41 walks with 44 strikeouts over 73 games.
He made an instant impact on Wednesday.
Ramírez singled to right field in the first inning. Chase DeLauter followed with a routine flyout to left fielder Trevor Larnach, but Ramírez tagged up and reached second base safely. That allowed him to score on Brayan Rocchio’s ensuing base hit.
Ramírez added an RBI single on a swinging bunt in the third, then reached on an RBI forceout in the fourth.
“The first inning shows you what we missed,” Vogt said. “Just his presence. We felt a lift up for the whole group today.”
“When you're talking about a guy they're going to build a statue of out next to [Larry] Doby and [Bob] Feller,” Twins manager Derek Shelton added, “a guy who’s going in the Hall of Fame, it changes the whole dynamic of their lineup.”
Vogt noted there will “be some limitations” for Ramírez initially. The Guardians will be thoughtful about how much he plays and when. But ultimately, Ramírez’s wrist is feeling good and he’s ready to go. He’s also the first of what could be two reinforcements this week.
Outfielder Angel Martínez, who suffered a non-displaced left foot fracture the same day Ramírez was injured, played his fourth rehab game for Double-A Akron on Wednesday. He could make his return from the IL by the end of the week.
Meanwhile, Watson had a .239/.264/.341 slash line with 11 RBIs in 27 games after his first big league callup on June 17. Vogt often praised the 23-year-old's slow heartbeat over the past month. With Watson being optioned to Triple-A, the Guardians' current outfield options include Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter, Petey Halpin and Daniel Schneemann.
"I think we saw an unbelievably talented player with Kahlil Watson, and I think he's going to help us win a ton of games for a long time,” Vogt said. “It's just not his time right now, and I think he understood that."
The Guardians survived without Ramírez. Now, the club’s heart and soul is back to help guide their quest for a third consecutive division title.
“The last five weeks could have been a lot different, and it wasn't,” Vogt said. “We kept our heads above water. You can use all the clichés you want, but we did not let the last five weeks determine the rest of our season, and that's really what I'm proud of."