Could Ramírez skip a rehab assignment in return from left hamate surgery?
CLEVELAND — As José Ramírez continues to progress in his recovery from left hamate surgery, is it possible he could rejoin the Guardians’ lineup without going on a rehab assignment?
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt didn’t rule out that possibility on Friday.
Prior to the postponement of Friday’s series opener against the Pirates, Vogt noted that outfielder Angel Martínez (non-displaced left foot fracture) was set to begin a rehab assignment while playing five innings with Triple-A Columbus later in the evening. That led to inquiries on whether Cleveland has begun talking to Ramírez about his own potential rehab assignment.
“He’s going to drive a lot of this just because he knows himself. He’s been working hard,” Vogt said of Ramírez’s return timeline. “We’re not 100 percent sure he’ll need to go out. He’s going to know what he needs when he feels like he’s ready to go play.”
Tuesday will mark exactly five weeks since Ramírez underwent surgery for his hamate fracture. He was given a five- to-seven-week return timeline afterward, and he’s continued to make steady progress in his rehab.
Ramírez had the stitches removed from his hand on June 30. He began to hit off a tee in the days following, and he’s since progressed to facing live pitching. Ramírez and Martínez faced right-hander Ben Lively (who’s on the comeback trail from June 2025 Tommy John surgery) in a live batting practice session on Wednesday.
“Hosey is progressing really well,” Vogt said. “His swings are feeling better and better each day.”
Ramírez and Martínez each suffered their injury on June 13. The Guardians noted on June 16 that Martínez was expected to miss four to six weeks. That duo has been on a similar timeline, but their processes are not linear, certainly given the nature of their injuries.
Martínez resumed hitting before Ramírez, and he has been working to build up physically after the foot injury forced him to be idle. Ramírez was able to stay physically active despite his injury. The 33-year-old also has earned a level of trust as a 14-year veteran.
“With Hosey, it’s a little different,” Vogt said. “You’ve got somebody who’s older, who knows his body, who’s been doing it for a long time, so you kind of just lean on him. But [I had] a great conversation with him [Thursday] about how he feels and where he’s at.
“It’s kind of day to day [with], ‘How are you feeling? What’s the next steps?’”
Martínez was in Columbus’ starting lineup on Friday, hitting second and playing left field. Position players may take 20 days on a rehab assignment, and the Guardians have a plan outlined for him through next Friday. Whether he needs that much time, they’re taking things day by day.
“We know that we have a progression for him to build up to a certain amount of games and innings,” Vogt said. “But at the same time, it’s, ‘How’s he feeling? How’s he looking? How’s the rhythm of the game?’”
The Guardians took on and treaded water in the absence of Ramírez and Martínez (and Chase DeLauter, who has since come off the IL after he fractured his right rib cage the same day his teammates were injured). Cleveland went 12-13 before the All-Star break in the aftermath of those injuries. Over that span, the Guardians scored the second-fewest runs in the Majors (96).
Ramírez’s numbers are down this season compared to his stellar standard, but the Guardians are anxiously awaiting reinserting him to the heart of their lineup. Over 72 games, he’s hit 18 doubles (first on the team) and 10 home runs (tied for third) while logging a .757 OPS (second among qualified hitters).
Martínez is tied with DeLauter for the team lead in home runs (11) despite not playing in over a month. His .718 OPS is a 90-point improvement from that with which he finished the 2025 season.
Kayfus done for the season
The Guardians announced first baseman/outfielder CJ Kayfus underwent season-ending surgery on his right ankle on Friday. He’s expected to be ready for the start of 2027 Spring Training.
Kayfus suffered the injury playing for Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, when he made an awkward slide into second base vs. Lehigh Valley. Further evaluation confirmed a fibular fracture along with a syndesmotic (ligament) injury.
Kayfus made the Guardians’ Opening Day roster this season after his 44-game rookie cameo in the Majors last year. Cleveland optioned him to Columbus on April 13, after he hit .182 (4-for-22) in sporadic playing time over nine games.