Guardians notes: Jose Ramirez out of lineup with wrist injury

CLEVELAND – Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez was held out of Friday's game with a right wrist contusion. The perennial All-Star was hit in the right forearm by Toronto Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman in the fourth inning of Thursday's 6-0 loss. Ramirez ran the bases after being hit but was removed from the game when Cleveland took the field. X-rays were negative on Ramirez. "He's very sore," Guardians manager Steve Vogt said. "He's day-to-day. We're hoping to see him (today)." Earlier Thursday, Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee plunked Toronto star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Guardians anticipated that the Blue Jays would retaliate, and they did. Guerrero was in the lineup for Toronto against Boston on Friday. Ramirez is fifth in the American League with a .317 batting average and with 92 hits. He has missed just three games this season. Sabrowski activated The Guardians needed another arm. Luckily for Cleveland, left-hander Erik Sabrowski was able and ready. He was activated off the 60-day injured list on Friday and was available in the Guardians' bullpen against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was on the injured list with left elbow inflammation. In a corresponding move, right-hander Zak Kent was optioned to AAA Columbus. Kent allowed two earned runs in 2 1/3 innings in Thursday's game. "We needed a pitcher," Vogt said. "(Sabrowski) was ready to go." He said the lefty had been pitching well in a rehab assignment at AA Akron. He appeared in nine games with a 4.00 ERA, 10 walks and 12 strikeouts for the RubberDucks. "His stuff was really moving," Vogt said. "He was ready to help us compete." Manzo in lineup Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo was back in the lineup Friday after committing three errors in the series finale against Toronto Thursday. Vogt said it's the only way to do it. "You have two options: sit him for a couple days and let him think about it or put him right back out there," the manager said. "Manzo has been very good (at first base)." Manzardo is tied with Ramirez with a team-high nine errors on the season. The Guardians are ranked 28th of 30 teams in fielding percentage (.979). Thomas is streaking Vogt said Guardians center fielder Lane Thomas has finally found his rhythm at the plate. "This is the first time all year he's felt this good," the manager said. "He's trusting himself right now." Thomas has three home runs in his last four home games. He spent parts of three seasons with the Cardinals from 2019-21. In 22 games against his former club (before Friday), he's batting .294 with nine doubles and eight RBIs. Start 'em up Cleveland starters have posted a 3.33 ERA (47 earned runs in 127 innings pitched) over its last 22 games since June 1 (entering Friday's game). It's the fourth-lowest mark in MLB. The Guardians are trailing only Philadelphia (2.61), Houston (2.84) and the New York Yankees (3.11). Opponents are batting .225 against Cleveland's starters during that span, fifth in the majors. Long time away Guardians outfielder Will Brennan was sent to the 60-day IL Friday. He had left elbow UCL reconstruction June 9. Brennan will be out for the rest of the season. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com.