CLEVELAND — Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez was activated from the injury list Wednesday after missing five weeks following left hand surgery.
The seven-time All-Star has been sidelined since suffering the injury June 13 against the Detroit Tigers and having an operation to remove the hamate bone in his left hand. The return of the Guardians’ best player gives the club a major boost as it defends its AL Central title.
The Guardians managed to stay afloat without Ramírez, going 15-15 and keeping pace with the division leaders. They entered Wednesday’s home game against the Minnesota Twins in a virtual tie for first place with the Chicago White Sox.
Ramírez is in the starting lineup Wednesday, batting second and playing third.
Ramírez 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 was on the IL.
To make room for Ramírez, the Guardians optioned outfielder Kahlil Watson to Triple-A Columbus.
Ramírez, 33, who owns numerous offensive club records, was batting .239 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs in 72 games before the injury. 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 home run and 11 RBIs in 27 games. On Tuesday night he made a game-ending leaping catch down the right-field line before crashing into the padded wall.