The Cleveland Guardians just got one of the best signs they could have asked for. Jose Ramirez was back on the field Friday taking ground balls, and that’s a pretty clear signal that his recovery from hamate bone surgery is on track.
Ramirez went down a month ago with a left hamate injury that required surgery. The Guardians have been fighting through it, and they’re currently locked in a dead heat with the White Sox at the top of the AL Central. Thursday night’s 6-5 walk-off win on a Brayan Rocchio two-run homer in the ninth kept things tight.
The team has been careful not to rush him. Ramirez is expected back shortly after the All-Star break on July 14. But the fact that he’s already fielding grounders — less than four weeks after surgery — suggests he might not need much extra time once he’s cleared.
What the Guardians Have Missed
Before the injury, Ramirez wasn’t having his typical year. He was slashing .239/.339/.418 with 10 homers and 33 RBI. That’s a drop from his usual production, but here’s the thing: he’s still Jose Ramirez in big moments. His track record in late-inning situations makes him a threat nobody wants to face, even in a down year.
The Guardians have leaned heavily on Angel Martinez and Kyle Manzardo to carry the load. Martinez leads the team with 11 homers and 33 RBI. Manzardo has 10 of each. Those are solid numbers, but neither brings the same gravity Ramirez does when he steps in the box.
Cleveland has won four of their last six and two straight heading into this weekend. Getting Ramirez back would change the whole look of that lineup. It’s not just about the stats he puts up. It’s about the way pitchers approach the rest of the order differently when he’s lurking.
No official timeline has been set for his return, but taking grounders this early is about as encouraging as it gets. The Guardians might be right back in the thick of a division race when he walks back through the tunnel.
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