In a virtual tie atop the American League Central, the Cleveland Guardians received a major boost with the activation of star third baseman Jose Ramirez, who is in the starting lineup and batting second Wednesday against the visiting Minnesota Twins.

Ramirez, 33, a seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger, had been out since June 13 with a left hamate fracture. He underwent surgery three days later and was given a timetable of five to seven weeks. Wednesday marked five weeks and a day since the procedure.

In a corresponding move, outfielder Kahlil WIlson was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

Without Ramirez, the Guardians went 15-15 but struggled offensively, ranking 28th in the majors in runs (121) and 26th in OPS (.690). In 72 games this season, the 14-year veteran is hitting .239 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs, along with 18 doubles and 24 stolen bases.

In other injury news, Cleveland outfielder Angel Martinez began a rehab assignment on Friday after suffering a non-displaced left foot fracture the same day of Ramirez’s injury.

Martinez played seven innings in his third rehab game for Triple-A Akron on Tuesday and could be activated by this weekend, MLB.com reported. In 66 games this season for Cleveland, he has hit .239 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs.

–Field Level Media

Spain midfielder Gavi doesn’t feel Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes should be suspended for his postgame tirade following Spain’s 1-0 victory in Sunday’s World Cup final.

Tensions were high after the match and Paredes had a hand in elevating them further. While players were mixing it up, Paredes charged in from behind and crashed into Gavi, eliciting further pushing and shoving and an occasional swing.

FIFA said earlier this week it will have a prosecutor conduct an investigation.

Still, Gavi said Paredes shouldn’t receive a ban.

“I don’t think he should be suspended,” Gavi said after the match. “I understand it’s not a good image for children, but I think there’s also that side to football, which is a bit more physical, more aggressive.

“The most logical thing would have been to send him off during the match, and that’s it. In the end, I think it’s all football, and it has to be that way.”

Gavi became involved in the incident after attempting to intervene in a confrontation that involved teammate Eric Garcia.

At one point, Paredes was listed as receiving a red card for his postgame actions. That was deleted a short time later.

After the match, Paredes was asked about the incident.

“I was just talking to them after the match,” Paredes said. “Things got heated with their teammates being aggressive. … They didn’t need to get physical like that. It was childish.”

Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute for Spain.

–Field Level Media

Jared Triolo hit a tiebreaking RBI single with one out in the 10th inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates recovered from losing a three-run lead and outlasted the host New York Yankees for a 5-3 victory in the opener of a split doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.

The Pirates won for the ninth time in 13 games and started their third doubleheader this month by stringing together a rally off Fernando Cruz (4-4).

Automatic runner Nick Gonzales advanced to third on a flyball by Jacob Gonzalez, putting runners on first and third when Cruz walked pinch hitter Marcell Ozuna. Gonzales scored when Triolo blooped a 1-2 splitter in front of left fielder Cody Bellinger.

The Pirates added another run when pinch runner Billy Cook scored on a single to center field by Jake Mangum.

Mason Montgomery (3-3) struck out two in the ninth after getting the final out of the eighth. Gregory Soto stranded automatic runner Amed Rosario at third in a 1-2-3 10th for his 13th save in 18 chances.

Gonzalez hit a two-run homer off Gerrit Cole in the fifth after the former Cy Young award winner retired the first 14 hitters. Gonzales ended Cole’s early perfect game bid with a single then homered in the seventh for a 3-0 lead.

Ben Rice hit a tying three-run homer off lefty Carmen Mlodzinski with one out in the seventh after Ryan McMahon doubled and Austin Wells walked. Rice joined Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber and Colorado’s Hunter Goodman as the fourth player to reach 30 homers this season when he launched a 3-1 fastball into the second deck in right.

Cole allowed three runs on four hits, walked none and notched his 64th career double-digit strikeout game. He allowed Gonzalez’s homer on a 1-1 changeup and Gonzales homered off Cole’s 1-0 fastball.

Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller gave up three hits in five innings as the Yankees started eight left-handed hitters, including top prospect Spencer Jones. Keller struck out six and walked two during his third scoreless outing this season.

–Field Level Media