Jose Ramirez beat all injury timetables and returned to the Cleveland Indians’ lineup on Tuesday for the first time since August 24 despite undergoing surgery on his hand recently. And wouldn’t you believe it? The guy was on absolute fire and homered twice in his first two at-bats — one from each side of the plate.
Ramirez hit a grand slam in the first from the left side off Carson Fulmer.
JSlam.
(MLB x @PapaJohns) pic.twitter.com/cdd08GLtor
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2019
Two innings later, he slugged a 3-run home run from the right side off Hector Santiago:
JRam’s first game back off the IL:
2 HR, 7 RBI. pic.twitter.com/jDshOGAvn3
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2019
Ramirez underwent surgery on August 26 to remove the hamate bone from his right hand. Cleveland.com reported at the time that Ramirez was expected to be out 5-7 weeks and miss the rest of the regular season.
After seeing how his hand looked on August 31, it’s not hard to see why.
Jose sent me this picture on August 31st.
He’s in the lineup tonight.
— Rafa Nieves (@mlb_agent) September 24, 2019
But Ramirez kept working his way back and was able to start hitting in batting practice last week. Then Tuesday he returned and gave the Indians a huge lift.
The Indians are contending with the A’s and Rays for the AL wild card spots.
