CLEVELAND, Ohio — In June of 2015, a young Cleveland shortstop named Jose Ramirez was hitting .180 (27 for 150) when he was optioned to Triple-A Columbus. Everyone knew shortstop Francisco Lindor was a rising star in the organization, and some wondered if Ramirez would ever resurface in Cleveland.

Ramirez made the short trip to Columbus and hit .293 (51 for 174) with 13 doubles, two triples, 12 RBI in 44 games. He scored 29 runs and stole 15 bases in 19 attempts.

He rejoined Cleveland for good in August of that season and has become one of the best players in franchise history.

On May 12, shortstop Brayan Rocchio was hitting .165 (15 for 91) with eight RBI for Cleveland. After winning the shortstop’s job in the spring of 2024 and hitting well in the postseason that year, Rocchio’s struggles were concerning.

The Guardians optioned him to Columbus where he hit .252 (40 for 159) with 12 doubles, two triples, seven homers and 36 RBI. He scored 20 runs and stole seven bases in 10 attempts.

Since the Guardians recalled him on July 1, he’s hitting .286 (38 for 133) with three homers, 23 RBI and a .778 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage). Defensively, he moved from shortstop, where he was a Gold Glove finalist last year, to second base when Gabriel Arias came off the injured list on July 24.

In Monday’s 3-1 win over Arizona at Chase Field, Rocchio hit a two-run homer off Zac Gallen in the fifth inning out of the No. 9 spot in manager Stephen Vogt’s lineup.

“Rocchio’s growth has been outstanding,” Vogt told reporters after Monday’s game. “When you get optioned, you can make one or two decisions. You can choose to go down and feel sorry for yourself and not really work and not fight to come back — just hope you come back.

“Or you can go down there, get to work and change your mindset. You can understand that I have some things to work on. Since Brayan has come back, he’s had his hair on fire, and he’s done everything we’ve asked of him and more.”

This is not to say Rocchio is going to be the next Ramirez. But it’s not a bad path to follow.

Breakfast and trivia

Monday’s hydration breakfast paid dividends Monday night for the Guardians. Let’s continue that trend with plenty of water this morning, followed by a smoothie made with frozen berries, pineapple, Greek yogurt and milk.

Now for the Guardians question of the day. Gavin Williams won his eighth game of the season Monday night. What are right-handers and left-handers hitting against him this season? Answer below.

Next

Tuesday: RHP Tanner Bibee (9-9, 5.45) vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-7, 5.40) at 9:40 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, MLB Network TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.

Rodriguez is 7-0 with a 2.51 ERA in nine career starts against Cleveland.

Wednesday: TBD vs. RHP Brandon Pfaadt (12-8, 5.08) at 3:40 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.

Thursday: The Guardians are off before opening a three-game series against the Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

Friday: RHP Slade Cecconi (5-6, 4.50) vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (11-3, 1,76) 8:05 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.

Saturday: LHP Logan Allen (7-9, 3.87) vs. RHP Jack Leiter (7-7, 4.06) at 7:05 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.

Sunday: RHP Gavin Williams (8-3, 3.24) vs. RHP Merrill Kelly (9-7, 3.36) at 2:35 p.m. CLEGuardians.TV, WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 FM and the Guardians radio network will carry the game.

Monday: The Guardians return home and open a three-game series against Tampa Bay at 6:40 p.m.

Trivia answer

Right-handed hitters are batting .284 and left-handed hitters are batting .142 against Williams this season.

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