Guardians give explanation for Jose Ramirez’s absence ahead of White Sox game
The Cleveland Guardians are looking to play baseball in October for a third consecutive season. Entering Saturday, they sit one game below .500 and have not quite met expectations.
The biggest reason for that is the lack of their usual production from third baseman Jose Ramirez. Ramirez has been one of the most consistent players in MLB over the past decade, collecting seven All-Star selections and six Silver Slugger awards while serving as the clear face of the franchise.
This year, though, he has not produced to his usual standards. Across 85 games, Ramirez has posted a .234 batting average, .334 on-base percentage, .720 OPS, 10 home runs and 35 RBIs.
The one difference this year is that Ramirez suffered a genuine injury setback for the first time in several seasons. He underwent surgery on his left hamate bone back in June and spent over a month on the 10-day injured list recovering before being activated on July 22.
Since then, the Guardians have been cautious about not reaggravating the injury. That was the exact reason the team elected to hold him out of Saturday’s lineup for Cleveland’s matchup with the Chicago White Sox, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com.
It is a huge game, as a Cleveland win would place them just one game behind the White Sox for first place in the American League Central.
It would not be surprising to see Ramirez pinch-hit or enter the game later, but it is equally likely he gets the full day off given how carefully the organization is managing his recovery. Angel Genao will take over at the hot corner in his absence.
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