CLEVELAND (AP) The Cleveland Indians have been dealt a major blow at the worst time possible.

Third baseman Jose Ramirez, whose hitting tear has aligned with Cleveland's surge in the standings, needs surgery on his broken right hand and will be sidelined indefinitely as the Indians try to catch Minnesota in the AL Central or capture an AL wild-card berth.

Ramirez was placed on the injured list Sunday with a fractured hamate bone, an injury that typically takes more than a month to heal. He was removed from Saturday's game in the first inning after swinging at a pitch. Manager Terry Francona said the 26-year-old has been dealing with soreness in his right wrist for some time.