The Cleveland Guardians will be without the face of their franchise, seven-time All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez, for at least the next month.
Ramirez suffered a fractured left hamate bone while popping out to the catcher in the fifth inning Saturday against the Detroit Tigers, casting a cloud over the teams’ series finale Sunday in Cleveland.
Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams (9-3, 3.32 ERA) takes on Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (2-3, 2.27 ERA) in the afternoon contest. Cleveland has won the first two games this weekend and 11 of its last 12 overall against Detroit.
Ramirez wore an athletic splint on his left hand/wrist as he left the clubhouse, encouraging his teammates to carry on without him. He will speak with the media on Sunday morning.
“For years and years, Josey has carried us on his back,” Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said. “Now, it’s the other guys’ turn to pick him up.”
Cleveland moved back into first place in the American League Central Division, one-half game ahead of the Chicago White Sox with a 3-1 victory. But the postgame talk was centered on Ramirez, Angel Martinez and Chase DeLauter, who all exited with injuries.
Ramirez is headed to the injured list and likely surgery, while outfielders Martinez (left foot contusion) and DeLauter (right ribcage bruise) are considered day to day. At least one roster move will be made to promote a third baseman from Triple-A Columbus.
“It sucks knowing we’re going to have to grind for a while without him,” Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo said. “With all the injuries, the bench was completely emptied by the sixth inning.”
After Ramirez popped out against Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, he told manager Stephen Vogt he would attempt to play defense because of the other injuries. The skipper ruled it out because “he couldn’t squeeze his glove.”
Ramirez suffered a fracture to the same bone in 2019, missing exactly one month before resuming his season on Sept. 24. He was shut down when the then-Indians were knocked out of playoff contention on Sept. 26.
“If there is any team that understands injuries happening at a weird time, it’s us,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “It sounds like they’ve got a lot of stuff to sort out over there.”
Williams has emerged as Cleveland’s best pitcher, currently sharing the major league lead in wins and is 4-0 with a 2.59 ERA in his last five starts. He has faced Detroit seven times, going 3-2 with a 1.88 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings.
The Tigers also will require a roster move to activate Mize, who has been out since May 28 with right groin tightness. He is 1-2 with a 2.93 ERA in five career starts against Cleveland, including a May 21 loss when he worked 6 2/3 innings and allowed two runs.
Detroit has managed three total runs in losing the first two games of the series, going 1-of-15 with runners in scoring position. The lone hit occurred when Dillon Dingler singled home Gleyber Torres in the first inning Saturday. But they failed in their next 10 opportunities.
“Baseball is a game of failure,” Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle said. “Everyone did a good job of battling. We just didn’t get that big hit late in the game.”
-Field Level Media
