If Jose Ramirez is going to return to the Cleveland Indians in 2019, his team is going to have to make the postseason.
One day after the 2-time All-Star underwent surgery to repair a fractured hamate in his right hand, the Indians announced that Ramirez will be sidelined for the next 5-to-7 weeks. Even on the early side of that estimation, that means Ramirez will miss the final 31 games of Cleveland's regular season, which is scheduled to end on Sept. 29.
Should the Indians qualify for their fourth straight playoff appearance, however, the possibility exists that Ramirez could return at some point during the postseason. Game 1 of the American League Division Series is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 4.
Only losing Ramirez will make clinching a playoff spot even tougher for Cleveland, which currently trails the Minnesota Twins by 3.5 games heading into this week's three-game series vs. the Detroit Tigers. The Indians are also currently engaged in a three-way tie with the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics for the American League's two Wild Card spots.
Without Ramirez in its lineup, Cleveland will visit Tampa Bay for a crucial three-game series beginning on Friday.
After struggling through a slump in the first three months of the season, Ramirez had come alive in the second half of the season as the Indians surged in the standings. Over the course of his past 41 games, which represent the second half of the season, the 2-time MVP finalist lays claim to a .327 batting average (1.068 OPS) to go along with 13 home runs and 40 RBIs.
For the season, he has posted a .254 batting average (.788 OPS), 20 home runs and 75 RBIs. The switch-hitter suffered the injury fouling off a pitch in the Indians' win over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
With Ramirez now on the Injured List, the Indians have called up infielder Yu Chang from Triple-A Columbus. In addition to Chang, utility infielder Mike Freeman possesses the ability to play third base.