José Ramírez Exits 12-6 Guardians Win After Jamming Shoulder on Third Base Slide

Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez suffered a left shoulder injury during a 12-6 victory against the Athletics in Goodyear, Arizona.

Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez exited Sunday’s spring training matchup against the Oakland Athletics after sustaining a sore left shoulder during a slide into third base. The injury occurred in a game Cleveland eventually won by a score of 12-6 in Goodyear, Arizona. Manager Stephen Vogt confirmed the exit was due to Ramírez jamming the joint, leading to his removal from the lineup before the fourth inning. Prior to the incident, the infielder recorded a 1-for-2 performance at the plate, highlighted by a second-inning double.

Following the two-base hit, the 33-year-old successfully stole third base, which served as the catalyst for the physical ailment. Carter Kieboom entered the contest as a pinch hitter in the fourth inning to replace the veteran starter. Vogt noted that the team plans to have the third baseman reevaluated on Monday to determine the severity of the soreness. The Guardians' offensive output reached 12 runs in the victory, though the status of their franchise cornerstone remains the primary concern heading into the new week.

Statistical Impact and 2023 Performance

Ramírez entered this spring training following a dominant 2023 campaign where he finished third in the American League MVP voting. Last season, he maintained a .283 batting average while contributing 30 home runs and 85 RBIs to the Cleveland offense. Over his 13-year career, all spent with the Guardians organization, he has established a lifetime batting average of .279. His career totals include 285 home runs and 949 runs batted in across over a decade of Major League service.

This offseason, the seven-time All-Star solidified his future with the club by signing a seven-year, $175 million contract extension. This deal represents the largest financial commitment in the history of the Cleveland franchise. The infielder’s presence in the lineup is vital for a team that relied on his elite production to secure a top-three finish in the most recent MVP race.

Roster Implications in Goodyear

With the José Ramírez injury occurring during the exhibition schedule, the Guardians must now look toward their depth chart, which saw Kieboom take over duties on Sunday. The reevaluation scheduled for Monday will dictate how the club manages its infield rotation for the remainder of the spring slate in Arizona. Cleveland’s victory over the Athletics showcased a high-scoring 12-6 result, yet the focus remains on the health of the player who has anchored their infield for 13 seasons.

The veteran’s ability to generate extra-base hits was on display early in the game with his second-inning double before the aggressive baserunning maneuver led to the shoulder jam. As a lifetime .279 hitter, his consistency at the top of the order is a metric the coaching staff monitors closely. Further updates regarding the medical status of the $175 million man are expected following the team's diagnostic sessions on Monday.