Jose Ramirez exits Guardians 4-3 loss to Royals with injury

If losing to the Kansas City Royals via a late-game rally against Cleveland's bullpen was not bad enough, Guardians star third baseman Jose Ramirez was forced to exit the game early due to an injury. Cleveland would lose the contest by a score of 4-3.

The team announced that Ramirez has a right wrist sprain, and that is why he was lifted after six innings, with Gabriel Arias taking his place. The injury most likely occurred during an awkward slide on a failed steal attempt in the 3rd inning, although it has been definitively stated as being the time the injury was sustained.

It would not be a total surprise if Ramirez was absent for Sunday's series finale in Kansas City. As much as Ramirez will try to play even if his wrist is still bothering him tomorrow, it is in his and the team's best interest if he takes a day off to give him enough time to properly recover. It is better to miss an early game in the season to avoid making an injury worse rather than trying to play through it and not performing at his absolute best, especially considering that the Guardians have 160 more games to go in the season.

Ramirez is 0-4 in his first two games this season but has managed to drive in a run with a sacrifice fly. His current batting line is just another reason for him to rest on Sunday. The last thing this team needs is for Ramirez to simultaneously play through his wrist injury while also pressing at the plate. Sure, it's only been two games, and there are plenty of at-bats ahead for Ramirez, but it is better to manage this situation carefully now rather than taking an unnecessary chance now and regretting it later.

First pitch for Sunday's contest in Kansas City is scheduled for 2:10 P.M. The Guardians will then head out west for a three-game set with the San Diego Padres as their road trip to begin the season is just getting underway.