Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez has been activated from the injury list after missing five weeks following hand surgery. The seven-time All-Star has been sidelined since getting hurt against Detroit on June 13. He then had the hamate bone in his left hand removed. The return of Cleveland’s best player gives the club a major boost as it defends its AL Central title. The Guardians managed to stay afloat without Ramírez, going 15-15 and keeping pace with the division leaders. Ramírez went 2 for 5 with an RBI and scored a run in Cleveland's 10-6 loss to the Twins.

José Ramírez has made steady progress in his recovery from hand surgery and the Cleveland Guardians star third baseman will soon start taking batting practice. The seven-time All-Star has been out since having a portion of the hamate bone in his left hand removed on June 16. Ramírez injured his hand while making a swing against the Detroit Tigers on June 13. Chris Antonetti, the team’s president of baseball operations, said Sunday that Ramírez has been hitting off a tee and is scheduled to start overhand batting practice “over the next couple days.” Antonetti expects Ramírez to be back following the All-Star break.