Angel Martinez Sends 5-Word Message About His Looming Return

The Cleveland Guardians finally got Jose Ramirez back in the lineup this week after he spent roughly five weeks on the injured list with a broken left hamate bone. He actually contributed two hits and two RBI in his first game back.

Angel Martinez, who suffered a foot injury on June 13 (the same day as Ramirez), is still on the list, but edging closer to a return. He has been playing rehab games and considers himself ready.

When asked about when exactly he will put on the Guardians uniform again, he made it clear that the decision depends on the team.

“Asked what his conversations with the Guardians have been like, Martínez noted, ‘I’m just waiting on them,'” team insider Tim Stebbins wrote.

Evidently, the ball is in the Guardians’ court, as the player feels ready to resume his breakout season in Cleveland. Things for the organization aren’t so simple, though.

Activating Martinez would mean sending someone down or placing someone on the injured list. Since there aren’t reports of anyone being hurt at the moment, it will likely have to be the first option.

The return of Martinez would likely mean sending down someone like Petey Halpin or Gabriel Arias. The former has minor league options remaining, but the latter does not, so he would have to pass through waivers first. It’s a complex scenario.

Getting Martinez back, whenever that happens, would represent a serious boost for the Guardians’ chances. He is, after Ramirez, one of the team’s biggest power-speed threats, having racked up 11 home runs and stolen nine bases to this point in 2026. There’s a good case to be made for him to pursue a 20-20 campaign when everything is said and done, if he has enough playing time, of course.

Martinez is hitting .239/.276/.442 with career-highs in wRC+, with 98, and fWAR; at 0.9. He is a talented switch-hitter with versatility, power, and speed, making him a very solid addition to the lineup once the Guardians are ready to bring him back.

A decision is expected to come at some point this weekend, even if the team hasn’t given away any clues. Ramirez’s activation is right around the corner.