Horacio

Ramirez

Ramirez said he felt good in a 35-pitch bullpen session yesterday, and thinks he can be ready for relief work after two more sessions.

The lefty hoped to receive clearance from trainers and be activated from the DL in the next few days.

Ramirez has been sidelined with shoulder tendinitis since late May. “He’s not feeling [right],” Manager Bobby Cox said. “He told me there’s no action on the ball.” A preliminary review of a shoulder scan showed no new damage or injury, so it appears that more time is needed for the shoulder to heal. As Ramirez cannot rehab his shoulder until the pain subsides from testing, it does not look he will be able to help the Braves in September.

Ramirez expects to make another rehab start in four days. Manager Bobby Cox said he didn’t know what the plans were for Ramirez, who said he wouldn’t mind coming back as a reliever for the stretch run.

Ramirez could return later this week, but the Braves have yet to determine what his role will be.

Ramirez has been out since May 26 with what was called tendinitis. This week’s tests showed a damaged nerve near the scapula that doctors believe was causing pain during Ramirez’s rehabilitation. He’s taking anti-inflammatory medication and hopes to test his arm in a few days and return before the end of the month.

Ramirez might report for day two of the of the Braves’ optional minicamp today. The team still has lingering concerns about his shoulder. ''Ramirez is a big factor,’' manager Bobby Cox said. ''He says he feels great. We’ll see.’'

''At spring training, I’ll be a little behind the others early, but I should catch up at some point,’' Ramirez said. ''By the time the season starts I should be 100 percent.’' Ramirez is set to be Atlanta’s fifth starter if healthy.

''He really looked sharp,’' manager Bobby Cox said. ''It looks like he’s going to be ready.’' The plan is for Ramirez to make his spring debut on March 7.

Good news for Ramirez, but he will have his following start pushed back. He’s only going Sunday because manager Bobby Cox didn’t want him to go 15 days between starts.