In the bottom of the fourth frame of Thursday’s game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Toronto Blue Jays, star third baseman Jose Ramirez was plunked by Kevin Gausman and had to leave the contest an inning later.
Ramirez was diagnosed with a bruised right forearm and was sent for X-rays during the game.
They came back negative, but the soreness is still there and, according to Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, it’s likely that he won’t play on Friday.
“He’s probably not going to be able to play tonight.” Stephen Vogt on José Ramírez’s status, after being hit in the forearm by a Kevin Gausman pitch on Thursday,” MLB Network Radio posted on X.
"He's probably not going to be able to play tonight."
Stephen Vogt on José Ramírez's status, after being hit in the forearm by a Kevin Gausman pitch on Thursday:@CleGuardians | #GuardsBall
🔗 https://t.co/6YbqEWFvEp pic.twitter.com/Xz02DW7Dy1— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) June 27, 2025
It’s unclear if he will be available as a pinch hitter or pinch runner on Friday, but he won’t start, and he likely won’t play at all.
He was hit by a pitch just an inning after Tanner Bibee accidentally plunked Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who also had to leave the game.
Game circumstances (people on base, down 3-0 early) suggest that Bibee didn’t do it on purpose, and he clarified that afterwards.
Gausman, on the other hand, hit Ramirez with his first pitch.
MLB should investigate the incident and, if possible, hand down suspensions.
Hitting a player on purpose with a pitch might be an old practice, but it’s becoming increasingly dangerous.
Now, as a consequence of what happened, the Guardians will be without their best player on Friday, and who knows if it will be longer than that.
Vogt confirmed that Ramirez is still sore, and he likely won’t play until that changes.
NEXT: Kyle Manzardo Had An Embarrassing Moment On Thursday
