Indians' Ramirez removed with wrist injury

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez exited in the first inning of Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals with right wrist discomfort after he fouled off a pitch.

Ramirez bent in pain after he fouled the 2-0 pitch from Royals starter Glenn Sparkman. After getting checked out by head athletic trainer James Quinlan and manager Terry Francona, he was pulled from the contest and replaced by Mike Freeman, who worked a walk.

Cleveland went on to win the game, 4-2.

Ramirez underwent an MRI, and the team didn't provide any further update on his condition. Francona noted that Ramirez had been dealing wrist discomfort for a while prior to the contest.

If Ramirez is placed on the injured list, infielder Yu Chang -- who was removed from the lineup of the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens after the injury Saturday -- is expected to be called up in a corresponding move.

Ramirez, 26, is hitting .254 with 20 home runs, 24 stolen bases and 75 RBIs for the Indians this season. After finishing third in the American League MVP vote each of the last two years, he got off to a slow start, though he's improved to hit .327 with 13 of his homers in the season's second half.

--Field Level Media