The Cleveland Guardians had a bit of a scare during Sunday’s spring training matchup when their star third baseman, José Ramírez, had to leave the game early due to a shoulder issue.
The incident occurred in the Cactus League game against the Athletics, where Ramírez jammed his left shoulder while sliding into third base. It all happened in the second inning after he smacked a double and tried to swipe third.
Manager Stephen Vogt was quick to reassure fans, stating that the team doesn’t see the injury as serious. "Ramírez jammed his left shoulder sliding into third base and has some inflammation," Vogt explained, labeling the situation as "day-to-day."
This update is a relief for Cleveland as they gear up for the 2026 season. Ramírez stayed in the game for a bit longer but was eventually taken out in the fourth inning.
Before his exit, Ramírez was making things happen at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs, continuing his strong spring performance.
Despite the injury scare, the Guardians’ offense didn’t miss a beat, cruising to a 12-6 victory over the Athletics. Contributions came from several players, with Chase DeLauter, David Fry, CJ Kayfus, and Stuart Fairchild all driving in runs.
However, the post-game conversation quickly turned to the health of Cleveland’s cornerstone player. Ramírez, a seven-time All-Star, has been a model of consistency for the Guardians, delivering top-tier performance both at the plate and in the field.
With Opening Day on the horizon, Cleveland’s main concern will be ensuring Ramírez is back to full strength before the real action kicks off.
The "day-to-day" tag is an encouraging sign that this might just be a minor bump in the road. Still, Guardians fans will be eagerly awaiting further updates, hoping their star returns swiftly as they prepare for the 2026 campaign.