TORONTO (AP) — José Ramírez’s right ankle is sore after the Cleveland Guardians star stumbled over first base during Friday’s loss at Toronto, but manager Stephen Vogt said the six-time All-Star third baseman wasn’t too badly injured.
“The reports are good,” Vogt said after Ramírez mildly sprained the ankle in a 5-3 loss. “Just being cautious, long season. He said he could have kept going but we can’t take that chance.”
Ramírez left in the third inning after being hit by a throw from pitcher Chris Bassitt and stumbling awkwardly over first on an infield single.
With Steven Kwan at first base and two out, Ramírez hit a slow roller towards the mound. Right-hander Bassitt’s throw to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit Ramírez on the upper back, and he stumbled over the base before hitting his left knee on the dirt.
Ramírez lay on his back for a moment before receiving attention from an athletic trainer, then stood and walked off the field.
“It’s never fun to take anyone out of a game, let alone José, but it was the right thing to do,” Vogt said, adding that Ramírez will be evaluated again Saturday.
Ramírez did not appear to be favoring his ankle as he exited the clubhouse.
Vogt said he will let Ramírez guide the timing of his return, but acknowledged that Toronto’s artificial surface might be a factor.
“José is our guy,” Vogt said. “He knows his body. He knows if he’s good to go. We’re always wary of the turf here. We know all about it, so we’re always smart.”
Daniel Schneeman ran for Ramírez and went to second base, with Gabriel Arias moving from second to third.
Ramírez went 2 for 2 before departing, boosting his average to .274. He has five home runs and 15 RBIs in 31 games.
In Thursday’s 4-3 win over Minnesota, Ramírez become the first primary third baseman to reach 250 homers and 250 stolen bases.
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Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez falls after reaching first base on a single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez steals second base in front of Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
Apparently, the worst Australian cricket team in 15 years just won the Ashes with two matches to spare against the best England squad assembled since 2011.
Long-time protagonist Stuart Broad lit the fuse ahead of a volatile contest for the longest-running rivalry in test cricket when he described the host squad as the worst to contest the Ashes in Australia since England won the 2010-11 series Down Under.
The 167-test veteran played two matches for England in that winning series.
Since then, a drought has extended to 16 losses, two draws and no wins for England on Australian soil.
Marnus Labuschagne, who produced a spectacular catch to help hasten the end of England's dogged last-day comeback in the third test on Sunday, reflected on the pre-series pronouncements by Broad and others.
“Have to say, being called the worst Australian team in 15 years… like it's nice to be sitting where we are, 3-0 up,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. “The job's not done yet. We want to make sure it's 5-0 and really take that urn.”
It took all of 11 days — two in Perth, four in Brisbane and almost a full five in Adelaide — not quite a record for clinching an Ashes series but not too far off.
Chasing what needed to be a world record for victory, England was all out for 352 in pursuit of 435, giving Australia an 82-run win. By going the distance, the third test drew a total crowd of 223,638.
The Barmy Army of traveling England supporters was in full voice as England took the record-chasing fourth innings into the penultimate session at the Adelaide Oval, but ultimately it was the Aussies crowing about yet another dramatic win.
It's true, Australia had a patched-up squad, with skipper Pat Cummins missing the first two tests while he continued recovery from a back injury. Josh Hazlewood was ruled out for the series. That left Mitchell Starc as the only member of the regular pace triumvirate available for the first two tests. When offspinner Nathan Lyon was dropped for the second test, Starc was the only member of Australia's longtime bowling quartet in the lineup.
He led from the front, with two man-of-the-match performances. With three of the last four wickets in Adelaide, he has 22 for the series and 51 for the calendar year.
“We just found a way, which I think is a feature of this group over a number of years now,” Starc said. “Even at times where it’s not going our way, we can find a way to get ourselves over the line.”
In the batting lineup, there were questions over who would open and who would bat at No. 3. Steve Smith led the team in the absence of Cummins in Perth and Brisbane but was ruled out of the third test because of vertigo. Usman Khawaja was rushed back into the lineup to replace him and helped hold things together in the first innings.
Cummins said the Australian players took the attitude of just playing what's in front of them.
“You just kind of crack on,” he said. “Even though I missed the first couple of games, Steve stepped right in. It was smooth, seamless.
“And there’s always things that crop up … but the boys go, ‘OK, that’s happened, let’s crack on, what’s next?’ That’s one of the big reasons why we’ve had success over the last couple of years.”
That attitude will really be tested again in Melbourne starting Boxing Day, with Cummins and Lyon unlikely to play the fourth test.
Khawaja's back injury in the first test forced Travis Head up from No. 5 to open the innings, and he responded with a match-winning century in that game. He made the opening slot his own, posting 170 on his home ground in Adelaide in the second innings.
In a post-match TV interview Head was asked what it's like to be part of the Australian team. His answer was simple: “Yeah, it’s bloody amazing.”
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Australia's Mitchell Starc, right, celebrates the wicket of England's Will Jacks, left, during play on the final day of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Australia's Travis Head kisses the pitch after scoring a century during play on day three of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Australia's Nathan Lyon walks from the field during play on the final day of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Australia's Mitchell Starc, right, celebrates the wicket of England's Jofra Archer with his teammates during play on the final day of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Australia's players celebrate after winning the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Australia's captain Pat Cummins speaks with media after Australia won the third Ashes cricket test against England in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
Australia's Alex Carey, right, and Australia's Marnus Labuschagne pose for a photo after Australia won the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
