Cleveland Indians: Hanley Ramirez trying to make comeback

After a disastrous stint with the Cleveland Indians, Hanley Ramirez is attempting to make a comeback.

When last we saw Hanley Ramirez, he was attempting to prove that he could be a major league asset with the Cleveland Indians. He surprisingly made the Indians Opening Day roster, but that was about the high point of his tenure in Cleveland. Ramirez lasted all of 16 appearances in the lineup before being released, his career seemingly over.

However, Ramirez will not go quietly into the night. He had undergone shoulder surgery in July to correct an issue that he said had been bothering him for years. Now that he is back on the comeback trail, Ramirez has reported to Los Tigres de Licey in the Dominican Winter League, hoping to jumpstart his career.

To his credit, Ramirez is refusing to consider retirement. In his mind, he can still play at a major league level; he just needed to get healthy once again. Now that his shoulder has been repaired, Ramirez is ready to prove that he can be an asset once again.

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The problem is that he has not exactly displayed the type of bat that could help a team. In his 57 plate appearances, Ramirez produced a .184/.298/.327 batting line. While he did hit two homers and drew eight walks, he also struck out 17 times and did little else at the plate to justify his presence on the roster.

In theory, Ramirez could help a major league team. Even during his struggles over the past few years, he has been able to hit left handed pitching reasonably well. However, even that ability failed him last year, as Ramirez had just three hits in 19 plate appearances against southpaws, striking out seven times.

It is understandable that Ramirez would want to find a way to continue his career. A three time All Star and the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year, he has had a solid career. Yet, his struggles from recent years come to mind quicker than his former glory. Maybe, if healthy, he can change that, having one last hurrah before heading off into the sunset.

However, that is not an option afforded to many players. At this point, that brief stint with the Cleveland Indians may be the last we see of Hanley Ramirez in the majors.