Surgery to sideline Ramirez

Broken hand could mean end of season for slugger

Jose Ramirez, one of the Indians hottest hitters since the All-Star break, could be done for the season after fracturing the hamate bone in his right hand swinging at a pitch in the first inning of a game with the Royals Aug. 24.

Ramirez will undergo surgery Aug. 26 in New York, Indians manager Terry Francona announced Aug. 25 before the Indians played the Royals in the finale of a three-game series. A timetable for Ramirez returning to the lineup will be determined after surgery.

“You can feel sorry for yourself, or you can choose to fight back and feel like this is our time to shine,” Francona said. Ramirez

“And I would choose No. 2. I’m aware that it got more difficult. We lost a great player. That doesn’t mean you can’t win. Just makes it a little harder.”

Yu Chang was recalled

from Triple-A Columbus to fill the roster vacancy created when Ramirez was placed on the 10-day injured list. Chang was in the starting lineup Aug. 26.

“Hamate fractures that are treated soon after injury have excellent outcomes, especially when early treatment is followed by a rehabilitation program,” according

to the website Hughston.com. The same site stated the hamate bone needs six to eight weeks to heal when surgery isn’t necessary.

“One of 8 carpal bones, the hamate is found in the hand, close to the wrist and below the ring and small finger,” according to Hughston.com. “The bone is

triangular shaped and has a small hook-like bony projection on the palm side called the hook of the hamate. A fracture to the bone is either diagnosed as a fracture of the hamate body or to the hook. The hamate bone articulates (connects loosely to allow motion) with 5 other bones—2 in the hand and 3 in the wrist.”

Ramirez was hitting .327 in the second half of the season after hitting just .218 the first half. He had 109 total bases in 317 at bats the first half of the season. He has 110 total bases in 156 at bats in the second half. He hit into seven double plays the first half of the season but only one so far in the second half.