CLEVELAND, Ohio — José Ramírez opted out of the All-Star Game due to injuries, despite being voted the American League’s starting third baseman for the fourth consecutive time. Upon returning to the Dominican Republic during the break, he learned that many fans and reporters were disappointed by his decision to not participate.
Ramírez has been dealing with various injuries, including issues with his right ankle and heel, as well as bruises on both forearms from being hit by pitches. He cited these injuries as his reason for sitting out, stating, “I did this (not play) for the team.” His forearm troubles began when he was struck by a fastball from Toronto’s Kevin Gausman on June 26, which caused him to miss the following game. He subsequently suffered another hit to his left forearm in a doubleheader on July 11. Additionally, he has been managing an ankle issue stemming from a fall at first base in early May. When reflecting on his condition as the season resumes, Ramírez acknowledged, “I feel good, but not great,” showing a commitment to his recovery for the second half of the season.
In other news, the Guardians have made some organizational changes, promoting Junior Betances to their big-league hitting staff after Jason Esposito was named Vanderbilt’s new hitting coach. Betances, who has a long history with the organization spanning 28 years as a player, coach, or executive, previously served as the hitting coach for Triple-A Columbus and played a significant role in the team’s development program in the Dominican Republic.
Additionally, right-hander Nic Enright has been added to the 26-man roster, replacing right-hander Paul Sewald, who is on the 15-day injured list due to a shoulder strain. Enright has had a strong performance this year, boasting a 1.88 ERA over 14 1/3 innings, with impressive strikeout and opposing batting averages.
As the trade deadline approaches on July 31, the Guardians find themselves in a challenging position, trailing 12 games in the AL Central and 4.5 games in the wild card race. General Manager Mike Chernoff indicated that the team will assess their situation closely in the coming weeks. He remains hopeful about the team’s ability to get back into contention, believing they have the talent to compete effectively within the league.
This mixture of injury management, coaching changes, and trade deadline considerations adds a layer of complexity to the Guardians’ season. As Ramírez focuses on his recovery and the team gears up for a critical period, there is cautious optimism about their potential to turn the season around.