Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) – Jose Ramirez hasn't gotten off to the start everyone expected. He doesn't look anything like the player who's been on two American League All-Star teams.
Ramirez is 12th on the team in batting average (.188) and on-base percentage (.278) going into Sunday's game against Seattle. It would be one thing if that meant his teammates were knocking the cover off the ball, but that isn't the case. Ramirez is just one of the many players on the Indians' roster who haven't hit the ball consistently this season.
Despite their struggles at the plate, manager Terry Francona expects things to turn around, especially for Ramirez.
"I think we had nine guys hot once, that was that 22-game hitting streak. Everybody hit. That doesn't happen very often,” Francona said. “You just want guys to feel good about themselves. Sometimes it's longer than you want it to be. You have to be patient. If you’re not patient, you’re going to miss out. Like with Josey, it’s easy to go 'well bench him,' forget that. He’s gonna hit man, and when he hits he’s really going to hit.”
Ramirez's struggles started last season. He posted a .166/.307/.290 slash line in his final 40 games. Ramirez doesn't think his slump to end the season has had an impact on this one, but it's easy to be concerned when his batting average is south of .200 in his last 70 games.
Ramirez is going to be a big part of the 2019 Indians. His success will lead to their success. If he continues to play like a below-average hitter, then the Indians will struggle at the plate. They need him to have a big impact on the game and he hasn't been that player this season.
Martín Out – Outfielder Leonys Martín is out for Sunday's game against Seattle with hamstring tightness. The injury prevented him from finishing Saturday's game and could keep him out for a few games.
"It'll be a day or two," Francona said. "Some of it may depend on the weather. He showed up feeling really good, but again, he's had these issues. We don't want to turn something that's a day or two into an IL, so that's why he's not playing."
Martín has a .209 batting average, with five home runs and eight RBI this season. Jordan Luplow will take his place in center field on Sunday.
Leonys Martin isn’t in today’s lineup. He didn’t finish yesterday’s game due to hamstring tightness #Indians pic.twitter.com/oyRuW1jsD0
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) May 5, 2019Sunday is Frye-Day – Former Cavaliers forward Channing Frye will throw out the first pitch at Progressive Field on Sunday. The 35-year-old retired from the NBA at the end of the season and was part of the 2016 NBA Champion Cavaliers.
Just a reminder! Tomorrow i will be throwing out the first pitch! Than I’ll be throwing some Cervesas into my belly! Cinco de Mayo + Indians game = great Day! pic.twitter.com/5FYVw5jbIX
— Channing Frye (@channingfrye) May 4, 2019
