CLEVELAND, OH – The Indians enter Saturday’s game against the Phillies tied with the Rays for the final American League wild card spot.
It’s the tightest race in baseball going into the final eight games of the regular season. The Indians have scratched and clawed their way into the playoff picture and help could be on the way. They’re hoping to add a two-time All-Star to their lineup in the near future.
José Ramírez faced live pitching on Saturday for the first time since breaking the hamate bone in his right hand on August 24. He took swings from both sides of the plate and went up against two real pitchers – right-hander Jefry Rodriguez and minor league lefty Kyle Nelson.
Ramírez told teammates and coaches that he felt good after the session that included normal batting practice. The 27-year-old fielded ground balls and ran sprints afterwards.
“Another really good day for him,” president Chris Antonetti said. “Obviously took live batting practice off both a left-handed pitcher and right-handed pitcher and he felt good, so we’re right now in the process of assessing where he is now and what the plan will be. But hopefully in the not too distant future he’ll be in action for us.”
The Indians’ lineup needs all the help it can get, which such a small margin of error in the final week of the season. Ramírez was playing his best ball of the season prior to the injury. He posted a .321/.372/.705 slash line with six home runs and 20 RBI in the month of August (22 games).
Will Ramírez return Sunday against the Phillies?
“We need to get together following this and see how José feels tomorrow, but right now I think everything is on the table,” Antonetti said.
The Indians’ lineup had the talent to compete with anyone in the American League after they acquired Franmil Reyes and Yasiel Puig. Ramírez not being in the lineup changes things for them and the rest of the club.
The Tribe could be dangerous if Ramírez returns and they find a way to make it into the playoffs.
