Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) reacts after he was hit with a foul ball in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Guardians All-Star Jose Ramirez to undergo tests on hurting shin

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/19/22

The Cleveland Guardians had injury added to insult at Progressive Field on Thursday afternoon.

Cleveland lost its second straight home game to the league-worst Cincinnati Reds and also had All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez go down after he fouled a ball off his right shin in the bottom of the eighth inning of what became a 4-2 defeat:

Jose Ramirez hit a RBI single after fouling a ball off his leg. He then left the game after getting on base. pic.twitter.com/tuFvlAMCRf
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 19, 2022

According to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Ramirez will undergo X-rays and other tests on his hurting shin. His availability for Friday's home series opener versus the Detroit Tigers wasn't known as of Thursday evening.

"He's pretty sore," Francona said of Ramirez after the loss. "Hit above his (protective) pad, just below his knee. For him to react like that, he's a pretty tough kid. He's going to get some X-rays, but he's sore."

As noted by ESPN stats, Ramirez ended Thursday's matchup third in all of MLB with 34 RBI on the season. He leads all Cleveland players with eight home runs and 37 hits.

Assuming Ramirez can't play Friday, he won't be the only big Guardians personality missing from that game. Francona, who was recently out for four contests due to COVID-19, is having what's being called "a minor surgical procedure" but is slated to return to work Saturday. Bench coach DeMarlo Hale will serve as acting manager during Francona's latest absence.

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