Guardians notes: Jose Ramirez finding ways to help team win despite slow start

CLEVELAND — Jose Ramirez is off to an uncharacteristically slow start, batting .227 with an OPS hovering around the major league average (.727) over 47 games through Saturday. But the seven-time All-Star is still finding ways to give the Guardians a boost. Ramirez, who was recently moved from third to second in the order, stole his 20th base Saturday, becoming the first Cleveland player to steal 20 or more times over their first 47 games since Kenny Lofton in 1996. He stole two bases Saturday, getting into position to score an insurance run in the ninth inning of a 7-4 win over the Reds. "Clearly, since I haven't been able to hit the homers that I want to (six through Saturday), I'm getting more walks and trying to find ways to help the team win," Ramirez said through an interpreter prior to Sunday's series finale against the Reds. "At the moment, it's trying to steal more bases. "I have a feeling there's more to the team that we can improve, especially myself. I know the team is going to take it to another gear." The offensive numbers may be down for Ramirez, 33, but desire and leadership are omnipresent with the perennial MVP candidate. "That's him. Everybody knows what he's capable of with his focus every single day, through every single game, through every single inning," Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez said. "He's just showing us how to play the game. Playing this game is really hard. At the age that he is right now, playing with fire, with hustle every single game, it's not easy to do. And for us, it's the best example that we can have." Few big leaguers, if any, have lessons to pass along like Ramirez does. His is far from an overnight success story after beginning his career as an undrafted signing in 2009. "I remember that when he first made the club (in 2015), we had to send him down," said Reds manager Terry Francona, who managed Ramirez in Cleveland from 2013-23. "And I remember talking to him through the interpreter and I said, 'Hosey, I feel bad, because I feel like you're a little bit on an island now and I can't help you as much as I want.' "He just couldn't get through April, but then once he did. Kind of the word was when he was young, like, 'Oh man, this kid might be a killer utility player.' He turned himself into one of the best players in the game and it's every year. It's pretty impressive. As you go around the league, everybody asks about him." "For being 50 years old, he's really impressive," joked former teammate Jason Kipnis (2013-19). "We knew Jose was the player he is even before he turned into it. But it looks like he really has reached the best version of himself on the field, off the field as a leader in the clubhouse, all that stuff. If you were to see someone who maxed out their potential and reached their best version, that's what has happened to Jose. "He's so easy to root for. He's very likeable. It's just not surprising. We knew the talent was there for a long time. He finally put it all together and then some and he's done it every single year. I think the consistency is one of the most impressive things." In good hands Kipnis, Cleveland's primary second baseman from 2012-19, thinks the position is in good hands with 2024's top overall draft pick, Travis Bazzana. "I'm a fan of his game. He looks awesome. He looks like he's got a great career ahead of him," Kipnis said. "I'm excited that he's wearing a Cleveland jersey and I'm excited that they've got him and hopefully he's at second base for a long time. I hope he reaches his potential. He looks like a stud out there." Next up The Guardians begin a seven-game road trip with a four-game series against the Tigers that starts tonight (6:40) at Comerica Park. RHP Slade Cecconi (2-4, 5.60 ERA) opens the set for Cleveland, opposing LHP Framber Valdez (2-2, 4.32), while LHP Parker Messick (5-1, 2.35) goes Tuesday night (6:40) against RHP Keider Montero (2-3, 3.65). Detroit hasn't named a starter Wednesday night (6:40), but the Guardians will go with RHP Tanner Bibee (0-6, 4.15), while LHP Joey Cantillo (3-1, 3.40) pitches the series finale Thursday (1:10 p.m.), opposing RHP Casey Mize (2-2, 2.43). Doctor's office Reliever Andrew Walters was activated from the injured list and optioned to Triple-A Columbus. The right-hander appeared in four postseason games for Cleveland in 2024 but has been derailed by injuries since. Roundin' third The Guardians entered Sunday ranked third in the majors Chase DeLauter and Angel Martinez entered Sunday leading the Guardians with 12 multihit games. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him @CAwesomeheimer on X.