CLEVELAND — After being evaluated for a broken hand, Indians confirmed that the third baseman Jose Ramirez has a hook of the hamate fracture and would need to undergo surgery.
Ramirez sustained the injury during an at bat in Saturday's game against the Royals. He had the surgery Monday afternoon at NYU’s Langone Hospital in Manhattan, the Indians said.
The team said they expect Ramirez to return to Major League game activity in five to seven weeks.
The 26-year-old Ramírez had a slow start to the season, but since the All-Star break has been one of the Tribe’s best hitters.
Ramirez is batting .254 with 33 doubles, 20 home runs and 75 RBIs in 126 games.
The Indians have had their fair share of bad luck. Two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber has been out since May 1 with a broken arm, and starter Carlos Carrasco is being treated following a leukemia diagnosis.
With the Tribe trailing the Twins 3.5 games in the AL Central standings and only leading the AL Wild Card race by a game, five weeks would be much better news than seven for Ramirez' return—if the Tribe can fight their way through the playoffs, that is.
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