Hanley Ramirez begins rehab assignment, return date to be determined

Hanley Ramirez is batting leadoff on Saturday night in his first minor league rehab game with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, and it is still unknown just how long that rehab assignment will last.

"Hanley's rehab schedule and what Stan Conte tells me are often different. Hanley would like to be starting here tonight," said manager Don Mattingly on Saturday before the Dodgers battled the Brewers. "As soon as Stan (Conte, director of medical services) tells me we're ready to go with Hanley, then we're ready to go. We'll do what we have to do to get him ready."

Ramirez will be with the Quakes on Saturday and Sunday, but then the Quakes have an off day Monday. Tuesday at Dodger Stadium is the night of his bobblehead giveaway, but Mattingly downplayed that being a factor in Ramirez's return.

"I'm not going to say it doesn't (factor in), but I asked Hanley, 'Do you really, really want to play on your bobblehead day?' and he said, 'I don't care.'"

A more likely return could be next weekend, May 3-5 in San Francisco against the Giants. Class-A Rancho Cucmonga is on the road in Stockton on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, then can make the 90-minute trip across the bay to meet the Dodgers in San Francisco beginning Friday night.

Game info

Time: 6:10 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday