José Ramírez sits again amidst major slump

There haven’t been any rumblings of Rocchio dealing with any sort of injury, so it looks like just a routine day of rest for the 25-year-old shortstop. Angel Genao will start in his place and will bat ninth against A’s right-hander Jack Perkins on Sunday afternoon in Cleveland.

It’s been a down year for Ramírez based on his surreal track record of first-round fantasy production that stretches back nearly a decade. However, he’s come on strong approaching the finish line when the Guardians, and fantasy managers, have needed him most this season. The 34-year-old stalwart came through with a game-tying RBI single in the fourth inning before extending Cleveland’s lead with a solo homer in the sixth inning. It was his 12th big fly of the season. He also picked up his 34th stolen base of the year in this one. With the victory, the Guardians remain in a virtual tie with the White Sox for the AL Central division title with just over one week left in the regular season.

J-Ram has struggled badly since returning from a fractured hamate bone earlier this summer. Wednesday’s doubles were his first extra-base hits in September. While he has somewhat salvaged his fantasy performance with 33 stolen bases, his .230 batting average and lack of power have taken their toll on teams where he was a first-round selection. Determining to what degree his second-half struggles can be attributed to the injury will go a long way toward setting his 2027 ADP and bounce-back potential.

Ramírez hasn’t delivered his usual first-round fantasy production this season, mostly due to the lingering impact of a mid-June hamate fracture. However, he’s still managed to reach the lofty 30-steal plateau for the third consecutive season.

Genao has now sat versus each of the last two left-handed starters. The 22-year-old is slashing .236/.300/.327 in 120 plate appearances for the Guardians with just six RBI, two home runs, and one steal. He does not need to be held in redraft fantasy leagues. Travis Bazzana will start at second base, with Angel Martinez in left field and Chase DeLauter at DH.

Ramírez dropped a routine foul popup from Coby Mayo for the error. Mayo then hit the next pitch 407 feet for a solo homer. The hitless game leaves Ramírez 5-for-36 with no extra-base hits this month. He’s hit .227/.304/.287 with one home run in 40 games since returning from a broken hamate bone, an injury that has a history of sapping power from hitters.

Genao has grounded into a double play in three straight games and is 1-for-15 in his last four games. He hits the ball fairly hard and doesn’t strike out much, but the 72 percent groundball rate... well, that’s a pretty big problem. The Guardians aren’t helping themselves by treating him as an everyday player right now.

It looks to be nothing more than a routine day off for the superstar third baseman after playing in both halves of Friday’s doubleheader and Saturday’s contest as well. Look for him to make an appearance off the bench in a key late-game situation if needed. Angel Genao will cover third base in his absence and bat sixth against Tigers’ right-hander Jackson Jobe on Sunday afternoon in Cleveland.

Geno collected one of just three Guardians’ hits on the evening — all of them singles. The 22-year-old has held his own in his first exposure to big league pitching, slashing .255/.314/.362 with a pair of homers and six RBI in his first 102 plate appearances.

Genao’s home run was his second of the season. He hit a two-run shot off Blue Jays reliever Joe Mantiply in the seventh inning. Genao pinch hit for Travis Bazzana with the left-handed Mantiply on the mound. He’s not playing everyday, with makes him a tough sell for mixed league fantasy managers. The home run was nice to see from a promising young player, though.