Wilson Ramos thought he was pretty much untradeable Tuesday afternoon as he awaited treatment for his ailing left hamstring in the trainer's room in Tampa Bay.
"Then I heard my name on the news," Ramos said.
Ramos and his bothersome hamstring were traded to the Phillies, who practically bought the veteran catcher for the final two months of the season. The Phillies now must wait for Ramos' hamstring to heal. General manager Matt Klentak said Ramos could be out until September. Manager Gabe Kapler said there's a "wide-range of possibilities" for the catcher to return this month.
Ramos seemed to be the most certain: "100 percent sure that I'll be back this month. Probably in the middle of the month, not more than that. I think two weeks, and I'll probably be fine."
Ramos had an .834 OPS in 78 games with the Rays before injuring his hamstring on July 14. A healthy Ramos would be a solid offensive addition.
Ramos was set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment last week, which would have signaled that he was close to returning. But the hamstring nagged him when he started running, so he stayed with the Rays, thinking his departure would be unlikely with just days left before the trade deadline. And then he heard his name.
"I didn't want to rush," Ramos said. "But right now, I'm working really hard and getting my legs strong. As soon as I feel better to run, I'll do it and see how it feels. (I'm) happy for me and happy for this team, because I know I can help."
