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Cleveland Indians utility infielder Jose Ramiez has suffered an apparent serious injury during a game in the Dominican Winter League on November 18. First reported by Todd Paquette of Indians in Depth, a series of tweets shows Ramirez face down in the infield dirt, then being carted off the field on a stretcher.
#Indians INF Jose Ramirez hurt by a Moises Sierra slide into 2nd base. Ramirez as you can see put in a neck brace. pic.twitter.com/G0ogTGQH7f
— Indians In Depth (@tpaquette_IID) November 19, 2015
Here is Ramirez being helped off on stretcher in neck brace. Tried to get up and walk but couldn't. - Source pic.twitter.com/hDsWjJpxzC
— Indians In Depth (@tpaquette_IID) November 19, 2015
update: being taken away in ambulance right now - source
— Indians In Depth (@tpaquette_IID) November 19, 2015
Best case scenario is the stretcher and trip to the hospital were both just precautionary measures, but we have no way of knowing at this time. No official word has been given on Ramirez's status since Paquette's updates earlier.
Ramirez split time between the Indians and Triple-A Columbus Clippers in 2015. He came back to be an effective backup solution all over the field after his stint in the minors, and there was talk (at least among fans) of him potentially playing some outfield with Michael Brantley being out for 5-6 months following shoulder surgery earlier this month. Ramirez has been great in Winter League ball so far, with 15 hits, two triples, and a double in 12 games.
Update 11/18 9:04 p.m. EST: Well there is some good news at least--x-rays came back negative.
Update 11/19 3:24 p.m. EST: Good news! J-Ram left the hospital under his own power. The injury appears to be a mild ankle sprain, he is listed as day-to-day.