Fans during a rain delay at Progressive Field or over the family dinner could have a friendly debate about which trait of Guardians All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez is the most amazing. I vote for his durability. Ramirez played in more than 150 games in eight of the last 10 seasons. Of those eigh t, he played in more than 155 games five times. He played in 58 games in 2020 when the season was shortened to 60 games because of COVID-19. The only season in which he has been sidelined significant time was in 2019 when he suffered a fractured right hamate bone while swinging and missing on a pitch Aug. 24 in a game with the Royals. Even with that, he still played in 129 games that season. Related Articles Guardians celebrate loyal Jose Ramirez’ contract extension PHOTOS: Guardians’ Jose Ramirez contract extension news conference, Jan. 29, 2026 Guardians games to be streamed on CLEGuardians.TV again in 2026 Guardian for life: Jose Ramirez signs contract extension through 2032 Buster Posey takes center stage among the newcomers for next year’s Hall of Fame ballot Ramirez suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb in June 2022. He played with the injury for more than half the season, played in 157 games, led the American League with 44 doubles, batted .280 and drove in a career-best 126 runs. The Guardians won the AL Central with a record of 92-70 in 2022. They buried the second-place White Sox by 11 games. Ramirez easily could have asked for days off to not put so much stress on his injury, but he refused to sit. He finally had surgery on his thumb on Nov. 9 after the Guardians were eliminated by the Yankees in the division series. Ramirez was 10-for-30 in the 2022 playoffs with two doubles, a home run and four RBI. “It’s his health and his toughness,” Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said on Jan. 29 after the news conference announcing a contract extension for Ramirez through 2032. “He’s been injured, and he’s found a way. “It is so important to him to play as much as he possibly can than when he has had those bumps and bruises and even more than that he’s found a way to play through them.  Most guys would have had surgery on his thumb four years ago. Jose walked into Tito’s office (former manager Terry Francona) and said, ‘I’m not having surgery, and I want to be in the lineup tomorrow.’ That’s a unique guy.” Ramirez is an inspiration to his teammates. They don’t slack off, knowing the way he plays. The Guardians’ 2026 Cactus League opener with the Reds is Feb. 21 in Goodyear, Ariz. • This is absurd. There is still no resolution on the alleged gambling cases involving Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, which means the Guardians might be stuck paying Clase’s $6.4 million salary in 2026 even though he is ineligible to pitch for them. The story began on July 3 of last year when Ortiz, a starter, was put on non-disciplinary paid leave for allegedly throwing pitches out of the strike zone to affect prop bets. Major League Baseball swooped in on July 26 and nabbed Clase, the Guardians closer, on the same suspicion. Clase also was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave. Neither player pitched for the Guardians again in 2025. Both players were indicted in November on various fraud charges and charges of rigging pitches. Each faces more than 60 years in prison if convicted of all offenses. While it is unlikely either of them will be in prison for decades, nothing has changed since the indictment. Innocent until proven guilty applies to both men. And since they were on paid leave last season, the same might apply for Clase in 2026. Ortiz is not under contract for the upcoming season. “We are still awaiting resolution from Major League Baseball at this point,” Antonetti said on Jan. 29. “We don’t have any additional information. I don’t know what the honest answer is. Both players remain on the restricted list.” The Guardians hold club options on Clase for $10 million in 2027 and 2028. The Guardians would not be obligated to pay those salaries. ...read more read less