José Ramírez nears Guardians return as Cleveland fights for AL Central lead

José Ramírez is on the verge of returning to the Cleveland Guardians lineup on 20 July 2026, as the star third baseman nears the end of his rehab from a left hamate bone injury.

What happened to José Ramírez?

Ramírez has been sidelined since mid-June with a left hamate bone injury, a setback that forced him onto the injured list just as the Guardians were battling for the top spot in the American League Central. His timeline for a potential return has aligned closely with outfielder Angel Martinez, who has also been rehabbing a left foot injury since the same stretch. Both players were projected to return near the end of July, giving the Guardians a much-needed boost as the trade deadline approaches.

Why it matters for José Ramírez

The Guardians have managed to stay afloat in the division race without Ramírez, but their offense has struggled mightily in his absence. Since 14 June, Cleveland has scored just 96 runs in 25 games: the second-fewest in baseball behind only the Seattle Mariners. The Guardians were even 10 runs behind the Toronto Blue Jays, who tallied 106 runs over the same span. Manager Stephen Vogt praised the team’s resilience, noting they’ve found ways to scrape out wins despite the offensive drought.

Ramírez isn’t just another All-Star: he’s the heart of the post-COVID Guardians. A seven-time All-Star with six top-five MVP finishes, his absence has left a gaping hole. In his stead, Gabriel Arias has filled in at third base, but he’s managed just a .702 OPS with 40 strikeouts in fewer than 100 at-bats through 18 July.

What comes next for the Guardians?

The Guardians and Chicago White Sox have spent the last month locked in a tight race at the top of the AL Central, often separated by just a game or two. Their latest split doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates on 18 July showed how thin the margin for error has become. Cleveland managed just one run in the first 16 innings before Travis Bazzana delivered his first career walk-off homer, pulling the Guardians back into a tie with the White Sox for the division lead.

Vogt stressed the team’s competitive fire, saying they’ll do whatever it takes to keep their standing afloat. With Ramírez and Martinez closing in on their returns, the Guardians could soon regain their missing firepower: and their grip on the division. The July 28 doubleheader looms as a potential turning point, one that could shift the Guardians’ fortunes if their stars return in time to steady the lineup.