CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians' quest to clinch a playoff spot just suffered another setback.
On Sunday, the team announced that it has placed Jose Ramirez on the 10-day Injured List with a fractured hamate in his right hand. The 2-time All-Star suffered the injury fouling off a pitch in the Indians' 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
With the win, the Indians lay claim to a half-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays for the top Wild Card spot in the American League a full game lead over the Oakland Athletics.
Securing that spot -- or catching the Minnesota Twins, who it trails by 2.5 games in the American League Central -- however, just got tougher for Cleveland with Ramirez now out for an extended period of time. After struggling through a slump in the first three months of the season, the former MVP finalist had come alive in the second half of the season as the Indians surged in the standings.
Over the course of the past 41 games, which represent the second half of the season, the 26-year-old lays claim to a .327 batting average (1.068 OPS) to go along with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs. For the season, he's posted a .254 batting average (.788 OPS), 20 home runs and 75 RBIs.
With Ramirez on the Injured List, the Indians have called up infielder Yu Chang from Triple-A Columbus. In two games with Cleveland earlier this season, the 24-year-old Chang went hitless with 2 strikeouts in four plate appearances.
The Indians will look to complete a three-game sweep of the Royals on Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m.
