Hanley Ramirez injury: Dodgers SS has irritated nerve in back, out until next week

Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez left Thursday night's game with hamstring tightness, but apparently the root of the problem is in his back. Ramirez underwent an MRI exam on Friday, and the results showed nerve irritation in his back, the team announced on Friday.

Ramirez received a cortisone shot and is expected to play next week, which is an admittedly rather vague time frame. The Dodgers open a 10-game road trip on Monday night in Arizona.

The MRI on Friday showed no difference compared with an MRI taken of the same area in 2011. A left back strain two years ago with the Marlins caused him to miss 15 games in the first disabled list stint of his career.

Ramirez has hit .342/.390/.634 with 25 doubles and 18 home runs in 79 games this season for the Dodgers. Sitting through at least Sunday will put Ramirez at 70 games missed on the season. In his 71 starts, the Dodgers are 47-24.