Guardians manager Stephen Vogt told reporters Friday that José Ramírez (hand) could skip a minor league rehab assignment.
Vogt didn’t rule out the possibility before Friday’s postponement due to poor air quality that Ramírez could return without a minor league rehab assignment. The veteran third baseman is working his way back from left hamate surgery last month and is now nearly five weeks removed from the procedure after initially being given a five-to-seven week recovery timeline. While his return doesn’t appear imminent, he’s already progressed to facing live pitching, leaving open the possibility that he rejoins Cleveland’s lineup within the next couple weeks. It’s an encouraging development for fantasy managers coming out of the All-Star break.