Jose Ramirez has spent the final stretch of the 2026 season doing something he rarely lets on in public, and that is playing through real physical pain.
The Cleveland Guardians third baseman has been dealing with the lingering effects of an injury for close to two months now, even as he continues to anchor the middle of the lineup during a critical playoff push. Ramirez has not used the injury as an excuse, and he has not slowed down the way many players in his position might. Instead, he has continued to grind through it, occasionally showing flashes of the version of himself that Cleveland fans have watched for over a decade. On Sunday, Ramirez addressed the situation candidly during a Zoom session with reporters.
“People forget that that’s a very serious injury. It takes some time to recover, but we want to be in a good spot, trying to find the ways how to get better every day,” Ramirez said.
"People forget that that's a very serious injury. It takes some time to recover, but we want to be in a good spot, trying to find the ways how to get better every day."
(Via #Guardians Zoom) José Ramírez on playing through some pain as he tries to help continue Cleveland's… pic.twitter.com/ohU48YPouB
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) August 30, 2026
Ramirez elaborated further on what the recovery process has actually looked like. He described it as a mix of managing discomfort while also working to rebuild strength that the injury took away, explaining that hitters in particular can feel that weakness show up at the plate in ways fans do not always see. He pointed out that only two months have passed since the injury occurred, which is a relatively short window for something of that severity. Ramirez made clear that the organization is focused on finding whatever tools it can to help him improve day by day rather than rushing the process.
That approach lines up with what Cleveland has needed from its franchise player down the stretch. Ramirez has remained an everyday fixture in the lineup throughout August, and his recent power surge, including his 11th home run of the season during Sunday’s win over Kansas City, suggests the strength he referenced is beginning to return. Still, his comments serve as a reminder that the numbers alone do not always tell the full story of what a player is working through behind the scenes.
As Cleveland continues its push toward October, Ramirez’s health will remain one of the most closely watched storylines on the roster. His comments on Sunday made clear that the recovery is ongoing, but they also made clear that he has no intention of stepping back from the responsibility that comes with being the face of the franchise during a pennant race.
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