Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez has been sidelined since mid-March after tearing a ligament in his right thumb sliding in a World Baseball Classic game for the Dominican Republic. He had an encouraging batting practice session prior to tonight’s game in Baltimore, displaying some impressive power according to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick. Dodgers manager Don Mattingly wants Ramirez to go on a rehab assignment before returning to the Dodgers’ lineup, however.
“Stan [Conte, medical director] said we’ve got to get off the trip first,” Mattingly said. "[It is] at least a week before a rehab assignment. You want him to play at least a game or two. He hasn’t played a [Major League] game in six months. He needs to get out and prove himself.”
The Dodgers are giving away a Ramirez bobblehead on April 30 and the shortstop wants to be off the disabled list in time for that, tweets Dylan Hernandez.
