Alexei Ramirez Leaves Game Early With Right Leg Issue

The Chicago White Sox will likely be without their starting shortstop for a few days (at least) as Alexei Ramirez left Thursday afternoon’s game early due to reported cramping in his right leg.

Ramirez injured himself while running the bases in the 6th inning after he lofted a single into right field and took off toward first base. He didn’t reach first base before video indicated him grabbing his right hamstring, and he quickly exited the game with what looked like a potentially devastating injury and was replaced by backup utility man Brent Morel.

Early reports surrounding Ramirez’s injury reflect that it was just cramping, but White Sox manager Robin Ventura declared him “day to day” following the game, and it doesn’t seem like Ramirez will be in the lineup on Friday. On the surface, this isn’t a major injury in any way, but if the way that Chicago was forced to switch their infield around (sending Gordon Beckham to shortstop) is any indication, Ramirez is one of their most indispensable players.

Ramirez has had a bit of an unusual season for him, as he is running wild on the base paths to the tune of 19 stolen bases in just 88 games, but his normally solid power has disappeared to the point where he has only 1 home run on the year. At any rate, Chicago needs him in the lineup desperately for them to compete (at all), and they’ll surely hope to see Ramirez back on the field by the end of the weekend.