Jose Ramirez has been the driving force behind the Cleveland Guardians’ lineup this season and is the main reason Cleveland has one of the best offenses in baseball and has a 6-game lead in the AL Central with a 44-23 record.
The team will now be forced to navigate life without its star for a few games, but at least it’s for a good reason.
The Guardians announced a couple of roster moves today, recalling outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez from AAA and placing Jose Ramirez on the paternity list, as the star left the team after yesterday’s 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays as he awaits the birth of his child.
Today's moves before we square off against the Jays.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/lahlZMzf3T
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) June 15, 2024
The timing couldn’t be better, as Ramirez is headed out just in time for Father’s Day.
Rodriguez will take his spot on the active roster as Ramirez is expected to miss the rest of the series in Toronto.
Luckily, the team heads home for a 6-game homestand after the Blue Jays series concludes on Sunday.
Ramirez has been fantastic this season with a .269 average and 18 homers to go along with 62 RBI, the second-most in the majors behind Aaron Judge.
Daniel Schneemann is starting Saturday’s game in Toronto at third base in place of Ramirez, and the silver lining to Ramirez’s absence is it gives manager Stephen Vogt an excuse to get the rookie a few more at-bats.
Schneemann is off to a hot start to his career and has an 1.149 OPS so far.
Congratulations to Ramirez and his family, and Guardians fans surely can’t wait to see him back in the lineup with his new dad energy next week.
NEXT: Guardians Bullpen Showcased Its Elite Status Friday Night
