José Ramírez returns to the Guardians’ lineup after injury recovery

In Canada, Cleveland Guardians' star player, José Ramírez, made his return to the team's lineup for Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. His comeback comes just two days after suffering a mild right ankle sprain that forced him to exit during the third inning of Friday's match. Ramírez's injury occurred while he was crossing first base following an infield single, where he tripped after being struck in the back by an errant throw from Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt. Due to the injury, he was unable to play in Saturday's game, which the Guardians won 5-3. Prior to his injury, José Ramírez was enjoying a strong performance, going two for two in that Friday game. His batting average rose to .274, and he had accumulated five home runs and 15 RBIs over the course of 31 games this season. Notably, he achieved a significant milestone last Thursday, becoming the first primary third baseman in history to hit 250 home runs and steal 250 bases, solidifying his place in baseball history. Meanwhile, in the same timeframe, another player, Jackson Merrill, an All-Star center fielder for the San Diego Padres, was also set to return to his team's active roster following a strained right hamstring that sidelined him since early April. Merrill's recovery included playing two rehabilitation games for Double-A San Antonio and was seen at Yankee Stadium during a series opener against New York. He was performing exceptionally well prior to his injury, with a batting average of .378. Padres manager Mike Shildt commented on Merrill's professional recovery and readiness to return. These returns are significant for both teams as they look to bolster their lineups with key players as the season progresses. Ramírez's impact is particularly crucial for the Guardians as they continue to navigate their season's challenges and aim for a strong contention against competitive teams in the league.