CLEVELAND (AP) 鈥� The Guardians managed without Jos茅 Ram铆rez. They’d rather not have to do that again.
Ram铆rez was activated from the injury list on Wednesday after the seven-time All-Star third baseman missed five weeks following left hand surgery. Cleveland stayed near the top of the AL Central while he was out, a testament to the young club’s depth and resolve.
It wasn’t easy.
鈥淭he last five weeks could have been a lot different, and it wasn鈥檛,鈥� manager Stephen Vogt said. “We kept our heads above water. You can use all the cliches you want, but we did not let the last five weeks determine the rest of our season.
鈥淲e had some low points. We had some high points, some in between. But really proud of what this group did over the last five weeks and we鈥檝e got a lot of work left.鈥�
Ram铆rez had been on June 13 and having an operation to remove the hamate bone in his left hand.
The Guardians managed to stay afloat without Ram铆rez, going 15-15 and keeping pace with the division leaders. Cleveland entered Wednesday’s game against Minnesota in a virtual tie for first place with the Chicago White Sox.
Ram铆rez is in the starting lineup, batting second and playing third in Wednesday’s game.
Ram铆rez did not go on a minor league rehab assignment before being activated. The Guardians trusted him throughout his recovery. He had a similar injury to his right hand in 2019, the only other time he鈥檚 been on the injured list.
鈥淗osey’s about winning,鈥� Vogt said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 not going to come back if he doesn鈥檛 believe that he can help us win. So it鈥檚 full trust in him, full trust in the medical staff. Everybody is on board with him being back in there today.鈥�
Vogt said he would hold Ram铆rez back a little at the start.
鈥淭here鈥檚 going to be some limitations for him at first, but we鈥檙e going to be thoughtful about how much he plays, when he plays, things of that nature,鈥� Vogt said. 鈥淏ut he鈥檚 done a great job of getting his body ready, which is most important and the wrist is feeling good.鈥�
To make room for Ram铆rez, the Guardians optioned outfielder Kahlil Watson to Triple-A Columbus.
The 33-year-old Ram铆rez, who owns numerous offensive club records, was batting .239 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs in 72 games before getting hurt. The Guardians aren’t the same without him in the lineup, and his mere presence should help a team that has struggled to score.
Watson played well in his stint with Guardians, batting .239 with one homer and 11 RBIs in 27 games. , he made a game-ending leaping catch down the right-field line while crashing into the padded wall.
Vogt said Watson’s contributions made his demotion a difficult decision.
鈥淜halil handled it like a true pro,鈥� Vogt said. “He understood clearly. Not happy. No one wants to leave, but just the messaging was you came here when we needed you and you helped us. We saw an unbelievably talented player with Khalil Watson.
鈥淗e鈥檚 going to help us win a ton of games for a long time. It鈥檚 just not his time right now.鈥�
Along with Ram铆rez, the Guardians could soon have outfielder Angel Martinez back as well. He’s been out since June 13 with a non-displaced fracture when he fouled a pitch off his left foot. Martinez is on a rehab assignment at Columbus and appears on the brink of being activated.
Vogt said Martinez will play nine innings on Wednesday and be re-evaluated.
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