José Ramírez's absence looms as Guardians await DeLauter's return

José Ramírez's injury absence continues to weigh on the Cleveland Guardians as they await the return of another key player. The team's lineup has struggled without Ramírez, who is expected to miss five to seven weeks with a left hamate fracture sustained on June 14.

What happened to the Guardians' lineup?

The Guardians lost three key players in a span of five innings against the Tigers on June 13. José Ramírez, Chase DeLauter and Angel Martínez all suffered injuries that landed them on the injured list. DeLauter, a 24-year-old outfielder, fractured his right rib cage in a collision with the right-field wall.

Manager Stephen Vogt said DeLauter has resumed baseball activities, including hitting and running. The Guardians hope he can return during their upcoming 10-game homestand, which begins Friday against the Mariners.

Why it matters for José Ramírez

Ramírez's absence has been particularly felt in the Guardians' offense. Before their injuries, Ramírez, DeLauter and Martínez accounted for 46.2% of the team's home runs and 36.3% of its RBIs. The Guardians have averaged just 3.50 runs per game in their six games without the trio.

Ramírez, the team's star third baseman, is expected to be sidelined until late July or early August. His hamate fracture is a significant blow to a Guardians team that has struggled to score runs consistently this season.

What comes next for the Guardians?

The Guardians will host the Mariners, Rangers and White Sox in their upcoming homestand. Vogt said the team is taking a cautious approach with DeLauter's return, but they hope to have him back soon.

Martínez, who suffered a non-displaced left foot fracture, is expected to miss four to six weeks. The Guardians will need to find ways to generate offense without their three key players in the lineup.

The team's struggles without Ramírez, DeLauter and Martínez highlight the importance of staying healthy in a long MLB season. The Guardians will look to bounce back when their injured players return to the lineup.