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While Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke will learn his fate from team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, the team has some good medical news on Friday as well. Hanley Ramirez gets the cast removed from his right hand on Friday, three weeks after thumb surgery.
Cast coming off today!!!! Thanks god!!!!!
— Hanley Ramirez (@HanleyRamirez) April 12, 2013
Ramirez has been increasing the intensity of his baseball activities in the last week even with his cast on, including hitting, throwing and taking ground balls.
"He's actually been able to do quite a bit of baseball stuff. Hopefully that will shorten the timetable for when he comes back, to be sharper," manager Don Mattingly said on Tuesday. "Whether that means seven weeks or seven and a half instead of eight weeks, we don't know."
The initial diagnosis for Ramirez was to miss eight weeks after his Mar. 22 surgery, which would put him in line for a May 17 return.
Thanks for all the positivity from everyone! It means a lot to have a great support group! @dodgers fans are the greatest! I see you.....
— Hanley Ramirez (@HanleyRamirez) April 12, 2013
Dodgers shortstops, which has been mostly Justin Sellers (28 plate appearances) with Luis Cruz (five PA) and Nick Punto (one PA) missed in, have hit just .143/.265/.250 (4-for-28) with a home run, two runs batted in, and five walks.