Latest Update on Jose Ramirez Suggests He Could Return to Indians in Final Week of Season

The Cleveland Indians were dealt a crushing blow in late August when Jose Ramirez underwent hand surgery and was expected to miss the rest of the regular season.

However, there now appears to be a chance that the former MVP candidate returns during the final week of the season to help the Indians' final playoff push.

Ramirez took batting practice on Thursday in front of hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo, who said the 27-year-old looked "great."

Jose Ramirez takes batting practice, could return to Cleveland Indians lineup in final week of season https://t.co/MVS0ZNjkfu
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) September 19, 2019

Van Burkleo also said that Ramirez can't worsen his injured hand by playing, so his return will depend on how much pain he can, and is willing, to handle.

Indians manager Terry Francona downplayed the potential return of his star, saying the team is not expecting Ramirez to come back so quickly.

“It’s not fair to expect him back. I think as long as he’s trying his ass off to come back, we’d like to leave it open for him.” - Terry Francona on Jose Ramirez’s potential return pic.twitter.com/p4JvHSjKMd
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) September 18, 2019

The Tribe will face the feeble Phillies' and White Sox' pitching staffs and a bad Nationals bullpen to conclude 2019. While the Indians' offense shouldn't struggle against those teams, it never hurts to have a guy of Ramirez's caliber in the lineup.

Cleveland currently sits four games behind Minnesota in the AL Central is a half-game behind Tampa Bay for the second Wild Card spot.