Ramírez Hamate Fracture
Guardians Victorious But Lose Star José Ramírez to Hamate Fracture Amid Multiple Player Injuries, Forcing Lineup Shifts
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Key Points
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Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Ramírez’s injury came from “the swing on the pop up,” adding that Ramírez “had a similar injury…to the right hand a few years ago.” Vogt also described Ramírez’s attempt to stay in: Ramírez grabbed his glove with the thought that he could “at least play defense,” but “couldn’t squeeze his glove,” so he wanted to get back out anyway but couldn’t.
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Before being removed, Ramírez was pulled after a foul-out: CBS Sports reported he “fouled out during a plate appearance in the bottom of the fifth inning” and was then replaced by a defensive substitute “in the top of the sixth,” continuing Cleveland’s injury toll after the early exits of Ángel Martínez and Chase DeLauter.
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Rhys Hoskins’ outfield role shift carried more context than simply “since 2018”: Cleveland.com reported it was his first left-field appearance since Sept. 28, 2018—when he was with the Phillies—before he moved to left after the injuries.
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The lineup reshuffle included a very specific substitution detail: Cleveland.com reported that Steven Kwan replaced Ángel Martínez, while Daniel Schneemann replaced Chase DeLauter as a pinch-runner in the first inning; later, Schneemann came in from center to replace Ramírez at third, Kwan shifted left-to-center, and Kyle Manzardo took over at first after Hoskins moved to left.
Cleveland Guardians star José Ramírez fractured his left hamate bone during a 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, and the team expects to place him on the injured list. CBS Sports reported Ramírez may miss time through the All-Star break and will likely need surgery. The injury came on a swing that produced a pop-up in the fifth inning.
Two other Guardians also exited the game. Right fielder Chase DeLauter left with a bruised right rib cage, and left fielder Ángel Martínez exited with a left-foot contusion. Both were listed as day-to-day, with updates expected Sunday morning. Cleveland still won, but its top three hitters all left the field hurt.
Ramírez Tries to Play Through Pain, Then Can't Grip
Ramírez fouled out in the fifth inning, then tried to stay in the game on defense in the sixth. Manager Stephen Vogt said Ramírez grabbed his glove thinking he could "at least play defense" — but "couldn't squeeze his glove." So he was pulled. Yahoo Sports reported the injury is expected to sideline him for at least a month.
The hamate is a small bone in the palm that is central to grip strength. When it breaks, squeezing — whether a glove or a bat — becomes painful and unstable. Vogt noted that Ramírez had "a similar injury to his right hand a few years ago," referring to a 2019 fracture that required surgery and cost him about a month of play.
Three Injuries Trigger a Cascading Defensive Reshuffle
The Guardians' lineup unraveled in stages. Martínez came out in the third inning, replaced by Steven Kwan. DeLauter was pulled in the first inning after reaching base, replaced by pinch-runner Daniel Schneemann. Then, when Ramírez left in the sixth, the team had to scramble to fill four positions at once.
Cleveland.com reported the final alignment: Schneemann moved from center field to third base; Kwan shifted from left field to center; Rhys Hoskins moved from first base to left field; and Kyle Manzardo entered to play first. It was Hoskins' first left-field appearance since September 28, 2018 — when he was still with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Schneemann's Home Run Carries Cleveland to the Win
Despite the chaos, Cleveland held on. Schneemann — who entered only because DeLauter was hurt — hit a two-run home run in the third inning to give the Guardians a 3-1 lead. Pitcher Joey Cantillo earned the win. Closer Cade Smith recorded his 23rd save of the season, the most in the major leagues, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Guardians improved to 38-33 on the season. They have now won all six games against Detroit this year. But holding that edge without Ramírez — who had 10 home runs and 33 RBI before the injury — will be a serious challenge through June and into July.
Roster Moves and Recovery Timeline Still to Come
An official injured list move for Ramírez was expected Sunday. CBS Sports reported surgery is likely, which would push his return past the All-Star break in mid-July. Sports injury analyst Dr. Jesse Morse warned that hand surgeries can "mute" power at the plate well beyond the initial recovery window.
With Ramírez gone, Schneemann is the top internal option at third base. The team may also look to Triple-A Columbus for reinforcements. Rhys Hoskins' move to left field is seen as temporary — he tore his ACL in 2023, and the Guardians will likely want him back at first base or DH as soon as possible, according to Yahoo Sports.
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