The Cleveland Guardians have adjusted their lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, moving star third baseman José Ramírez to designated hitter.
According to the announced lineup, Ramírez will bat third as the DH, with Angel Genao taking over at third base. Steven Kwan leads off in center field, followed by Chase DeLauter in right, Nathaniel Lowe at first, Jo Adell in left, Travis Bazzana at second, Austin Hedges catching, and Brayan Rocchio at shortstop. Left-hander Parker Messick gets the start on the mound.
The series is tied 1-1 after Cleveland’s 6-4 win on Wednesday. A Guardians victory would secure the series and keep them within striking distance in a tight American League Central race.
Cleveland entered the day at 59-62, four games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox.
Ramírez’s move to DH comes as the seven-time All-Star continues to work his way back from a significant injury.
On June 13 against these same Tigers, he fractured the hamate bone in his left hand on a swing, requiring surgery to remove the hook of the bone. He missed roughly five weeks and returned on July 22 without a minor-league rehab assignment.
Since returning, Ramírez has struggled to regain his usual form. He entered Thursday batting just .233 with 76 hits, 10 home runs, 37 RBIs, 53 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases across 89 games.
His overall numbers reflect a clear dip from the elite production Guardians fans have come to expect. One recent stretch showed him hitting .231 (12-for-52) with limited power and RBI production after reactivation.
The switch to DH likely aims to give the 33-year-old’s hand and body a lighter load while keeping his bat in a key lineup spot.
Ramírez has split time between third base and designated hitter at times this season, and the Guardians have been careful managing his workload amid ongoing hand soreness reports in recent weeks.
Cleveland’s offense has needed more consistency, and Ramírez remaining a force in the middle of the order is critical as the club tries to climb the standings. After this afternoon’s game, the Guardians return home to face the San Diego Padres.
For a player who has been the face of the franchise for more than a decade and recently signed a long-term extension, these midseason adjustments highlight both the physical toll of the season and the team’s hope that a full recovery is still ahead.
A productive outing as the DH on Thursday could provide a much-needed spark.
