The Cleveland Guardians received encouraging news in their pursuit of a return to full strength, as star third baseman José Ramírez continues to make steady progress in his recovery from hand surgery. The seven-time All-Star is nearing a critical milestone in his rehabilitation, with batting practice on the horizon as he works his way back from a fractured left hamate bone.
José Ramírez Injury Timeline and Surgery Details
Ramírez suffered the injury during the fifth inning of a June 13 game against the Detroit Tigers, when he fouled out on a pop up. The Guardians third baseman underwent surgery on June 16 to remove the hook of the broken hamate bone in his left hand, with the procedure performed in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, by Dr. Thomas Graham.
The normal recovery time post-surgery is five to seven weeks, putting Ramírez on track for a potential return after the All-Star break. It is only the second time in Ramírez's 14 big league seasons that he has been placed on the injured list.
Recent Progress in José Ramírez's Recovery
The 33-year-old has reached several important milestones in recent days. Ramírez had the stitches removed from his hand on Tuesday and could soon begin swinging a bat as the next step in his rehab process. Prior to that development, Ramírez had begun gripping a bat, going through fielding drills and throwing out to 140 feet.
Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt indicated the 33-year-old third baseman is still on the same 5-to-7 week timeline, suggesting the Guardians remain optimistic about his recovery pace. Ramírez recently popped into the Guardians' clubhouse at Progressive Field, donning a soft cast on his left wrist. After briefly discussing his rehab from left hamate fracture surgery, Ramírez had one parting message: "I want to play, bro."
Previous Experience with Similar Injury
This isn't unfamiliar territory for the Guardians' franchise cornerstone. The seven-time All-Star also broke the hamate bone in his right hand in 2019 and missed only a month. That experience provides both the team and Ramírez with a blueprint for recovery and expectations for his return to form.
Following his 2019 surgery, Ramírez demonstrated his resilience and ability to bounce back quickly from this specific injury, offering hope that he can replicate that success in 2026.
Impact on the Guardians Lineup
Ramírez's absence has left a significant void in Cleveland's lineup. He is hitting .239 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs and a .757 OPS this season. Ramírez was placed on the injured list on Sunday after appearing in all 72 of Cleveland's games this season, highlighting his durability and importance to the team.
Entering late June, Cleveland had scored just 32 runs in 10 games without Ramírez, underscoring how much the Guardians miss their star third baseman. His absence leaves a significant void in the middle of Cleveland's lineup as the Guardians continue their battle atop the American League Central.
Expected Return Timeline for José Ramírez
While no official return date has been announced, Ramírez is expected to return after the All-Star break, which runs from July 13-16. The fact that he is progressing toward batting practice represents a crucial step in his rehabilitation process, bringing him closer to rejoining a Guardians team that desperately needs his bat in the lineup.
The 33-year-old native of the Dominican Republic has played in a franchise-record 1,681 games. He is also the only player in Cleveland's 125-year history to have at least 300 stolen bases and 250 home runs, cementing his status as one of the most accomplished players in franchise history.
Sources & Original Reporting
