True Blue LA - Hanley Ramirez injury: Dodgers SS out 8 weeks after thumb surgeryWhere The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2013-04-29T17:34:53-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/38977232013-04-29T17:34:53-07:002013-04-29T17:34:53-07:00Hanley activated from DL
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Ramirez tore a ligament in his right thumb on Mar. 19 in the finals of the World Baseball Classic at AT&T Park in San Francisco.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> shortstop <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> is back at Dodger Stadium with the team, and he sounded like someone anxious to return to the field.</p>
<p>"I just want to play. I don't want to wait any longer. I think I can play," Ramirez said before Monday's game with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>. "If it's tomorrow, it's fine. If it's tonight, it's fine. It's not my decision."</p>
<p>The Dodgers activated Ramirez from the disabled list before Monday's game, and placed Clayton Kershaw on the bereavement list.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h2>Starting Lineups</h2>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
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<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#000000" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Rockies</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
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<td>CF</td>
<td>Fowler (S)</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
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<td>1B</td>
<td>Pacheco</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis<br>
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<td>LF</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)<br>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Rosario</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Kemp<br>
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<td>RF</td>
<td>Cuddyer</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Ethier (L)</td>
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<td>3B</td>
<td>Arenado</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Schumaker (L)<br>
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<td>2B</td>
<td>Rutledge</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Cruz<br>
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<td>SS</td>
<td>Herrera (S)</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Sellers</td>
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<td>P</td>
<td>Chatwood</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Lilly (L)<br>
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</tbody></table>
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<p>Ramirez was 3-for-6 (.500) with a double and three runs batted in and a run scored in two minor league rehab games on Saturday and Sunday with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. He didn't make any throws on Sunday, but manager Don Mattingly was impressed with what he saw of Ramirez on tape.</p>
<p>Mattingly said Ramirez lobbied to be activated on Monday.</p>
<p>"He's going to work out, and we'll see how he does," Mattingly said. "Then we'll make a decision."</p>
<p>Mattingly earlier on Monday was quite vague in discussing the team's plans for Ramirez, saying he could continue to rehab in the minor leagues this week or he could be activated. Mattingly said Ramirez could be activated Tuesday, the night of the Ramirez 'I see you' bobblehead giveaway at Dodger Stadium, or even Monday night, though a Monday activation would likely only mean Ramirez would be available off the bench, and not in the starting lineup.</p>
<p>"I don't really plan on changing the lineup unless I have any problems with somebody before the game," Mattingly said.</p>
<p><span>Justin Sellers</span> starts at shortstop for the Dodgers on Monday night, with Luis Cruz at third base.</p>
<p>Ramirez said he didn't know whether or not his next game would be in the majors or minor leagues.</p>
<p>"I haven't talked to anybody yet. They just told me to come here today," Ramirez said. "We'll see what happens after (batting practice)."</p>
<p>Ramirez's activation is well ahead of the initial diagnosis, that he would return eight weeks after his Mar. 22 surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb. Ramirez wears a splint on his thumb to protect it during play. He said it didn't affect his hitting but was something to deal with while playing the field.</p>
<p>"I just have to get used to it," Ramirez said. "If I want to play, I'm going to have to play with it, and I'm fine with that."</p>
<h3>Game info</h3>
<p>Time: 7:10 p.m.</p>
<p>TV: Prime Ticket</p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_04_29_colmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=gameday" target="_blank">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/4/29/4283690/hanley-ramirez-dodgersEric Stephen2013-04-28T16:03:53-07:002013-04-28T16:03:53-07:00Hanley says 'I see you' to his rehab assignment?
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<img alt="Hanley Ramirez swings at Rancho Cucamonga" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GI1vZDF9BS4Kw4c0TuTaQDKMIAE=/0x46:1100x779/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/12371273/2013-04-28_13.13.53.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Hanley Ramirez swings at Rancho Cucamonga | craigminami</figcaption>
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<p>Hanley Ramirez had a single and a double and started a 6-4-3 double play in his second and possibly last rehab assignment game at Rancho Cucamonga.</p> <p><span>Hanley Ramirez</span> swing looks to be ready and his thumb splint is more like a thin bowling glove as he played his second rehab assignment game at Rancho Cucamonga. Ramirez played 6 innings and got three plate appearances.</p>
<p>Ramirez's only fielding chance was when he started a 6-4-3 double play in the top of the 6th. His warmup throws had some zip on them.</p>
<p>At the plate, he hit two line drives that reached the fence, the first one, he hit into the right-center gap and perhaps he could have forced a bad play if he tried to get to third but instead Ramirez ran it like a ground rule double as he pretty much jogged down the line and into second. The next line drive was a rocket (measured by the Quakes staff at 114 MPH off his bat) down the LF line, the left fielder was already pretty deep and even if Ramirez had started running hard out of the box, he still would have had trouble getting a double but by taking a casual approach and then trying to get a double was not the way to go this time as Ramirez was thrown out easily.</p>
<p>When Ramirez left at the top of the 7th, the Quakes trailed 4-2.</p>
<p>Ramirez left with his right hand heavily wrapped and did not speak to reporters, but the wrap was believed to be for precautionary reasons.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/4/28/4279650/ramirez-says-i-c-u-to-his-rehab-assignmentCraig Minami2013-04-27T16:58:26-07:002013-04-27T16:58:26-07:00Hanley begins rehab assignment, SF return likely
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Ramirez had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb on Mar. 22.</p> <p><span>Hanley Ramirez</span> is batting leadoff on Saturday night in <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DodgersBeat/status/328285001202421760/photo/1">his first minor league rehab game with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga</a>, and it is still unknown just how long that rehab assignment will last.</p>
<p>"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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> battled the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>. "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."</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>"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.'"</p>
<p>A more likely return could be next weekend, May 3-5 in San Francisco against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>. 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.</p>
<h3>Game info</h3>
<p>Time: 6:10 p.m.</p>
<p>TV: Prime Ticket</p>
<p><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_04_27_milmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=gameday" target="_blank">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/4/27/4276490/hanley-ramirez-rehab-assignment-dodgersEric Stephen2013-04-16T18:03:30-07:002013-04-16T18:03:30-07:00Hanley vows early return
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Monday and Tuesday marked the first time taking batting practice for Ramirez since his thumb surgery on Mar. 22.</p> <p>Before Tuesday night's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> shortstop <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> took batting practice, hitting off a tee and light tossing for the second straight day, his first action hitting since having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb on Mar. 22. Ramirez vowed to return well before the diagnosed eight weeks, which would be May 17.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<h2>Starting Lineups</h2>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" align="center"><tbody>
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<td colspan="2" bgcolor="#1C3465" width="125" align="center"><font color="#ccc59b"><b>Padres</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125" align="center"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
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<td>CF</td>
<td>Denorfia<br>
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<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
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<td>SS</td>
<td>Cabrera (S)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
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<td>1B</td>
<td>Alonso (L)</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Kemp</td>
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<td>LF</td>
<td>Guzman</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
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<td>3B</td>
<td>Gyorko</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Ethier (L)</td>
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<td>RF</td>
<td>Blanks<br>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Hundley</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe</td>
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<td>2B</td>
<td>Amarista (L)</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Sellers</td>
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<td>P</td>
<td>Marquis (L)</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Capuano (L)<br>
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</tbody></table>
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<p>Ramirez told reporters Tuesday <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/status/324316019017519105">he would be back 'way sooner' than May 17</a>, and that <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/324316144548864001">"everybody is going to be shocked"</a> at how quickly he returns.</p>
<p>Manager Don Mattingly was similarly excited but less specific than Ramirez.</p>
<p>"He was in there swinging, and he looks good. Hanley's moving forward, that's for sure," Mattingly said. "I'm going out on a limb and saying it's not going to be eight weeks."</p>
<p>Ramirez would be a welcome addition to a lineup struggling to score and putting up less than three runs per contest. While praising the defensive exploits of <span>Justin Sellers</span> and Luis Cruz at shortstop, Mattingly knows they are lacking offensively.</p>
<p>"I've got two shortstops, Sellers and Cruz," he said. "So take your pick, really."</p>
<p>Mattingly said that he didn't see <span>Nick Punto</span> as more than an occasional fill in at the position, and that the club had no plans to call up <span>Dee Gordon</span> to play shortstop with Ramirez out. Dodgers shortstops have combined to hit .167/.250/.238 (7-for-42) with one home run, two runs batted in, and one run scored this season.</p>
<p>Notes</p>
<ul>
<li> <span>Chris Capuano</span> has a pitch count likely in the 90-100 pitch range, in his first start of the season and first time stretched out since Mar. 25. "Like anyone else in their first time out, if he's between 90-100 (pitches), we'll be thinking about it," Mattingly said.</li>
<li> <span>Ted Lilly</span> is pitching tonight for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga in Lake Elsinore, facing a Padres minor league team that has a rehabbing <span>Chase Headley</span> on it. Mattingly wouldn't commit to Capuano in the starting rotation beyond Tuesday. "You're asking me to predict the future, and I'm not very good at that. Right now, Cap is starting tonight and Teddy is throwing tonight, and we'll see where it goes from here," he said.</li>
<li> <span>Carl Crawford</span>, who had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow on Aug. 23, has been cleared by Dodgers trainers to throw without restriction now. "I'm glad to hear that because I think he's been throwing the ball pretty good, but I don't feel like he feels like he could let it go. But when the trainers tell you it's time, it makes you feel good," Mattingly said.</li>
<li> <span>Cameron Maybin</span> was a late lineup scratch for the Padres. Chris Denorfia, who was originally slated to start in right field, moves to center field, and <span>Kyle Blanks</span> starts in right field.</li>
<li>My favorite pregame exchange was between Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times and Mattingly:
<ul>
<li>Dilbeck: "When you get to Baltimore and you need a DH, are you going to hit Kershaw or Ryu?"</li>
<li>Mattingly: "You know what my dad said about that? There are 1,000 comedians out of work and you're trying to be funny."<br>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Game info</h3>
<p>Time: 7:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p>TV: KCAL</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_04_16_sdnmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=gameday">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/4/16/4232650/hanley-ramirez-return-dodgers-thumb-surgeryEric Stephen2013-04-12T12:00:45-07:002013-04-12T12:00:45-07:00Hanley gets cast off
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Ramirez had surgery on Mar. 22 to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.</p> <p>While <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> pitcher <span>Zack Greinke</span> will learn his fate from team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, the team has some good medical news on Friday as well. <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> gets the cast removed from his right hand on Friday, three weeks after thumb surgery.</p>
<blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Cast coming off today!!!! Thanks god!!!!!</p>
— Hanley Ramirez (@HanleyRamirez) <a href="https://twitter.com/HanleyRamirez/status/322613631822999552">April 12, 2013</a>
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<p>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.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<strong>More</strong>:
<a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/21/4132666/hanley-ramirez-injury-dodgers-luis-cruz-dee-gordon" target="new">Dodgers use in-house SS options</a>
<a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/24/4143240/world-baseball-classic-insurance-hanley-ramirez-salary-dodgers" target="new">Hanley could be paid by WBC</a>
<a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/4/9/4206538/hanley-ramirez-dodgers" target="new">Hanley progressing</a>
</div>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>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.</p>
<blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Thanks for all the positivity from everyone! It means a lot to have a great support group! @<a href="https://twitter.com/dodgers">dodgers</a> fans are the greatest! I see you.....</p>
— Hanley Ramirez (@HanleyRamirez) <a href="https://twitter.com/HanleyRamirez/status/322614332083032064">April 12, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
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<p>Dodgers shortstops, which has been mostly <span>Justin Sellers</span> (28 plate appearances) with Luis Cruz (five PA) and <span>Nick Punto</span> (one PA) missed in, have hit just .143/.265/.250 (4-for-28) with a home run, two runs batted in, and five walks.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/4/12/4217670/hanley-ramirez-injury-dodgers-cast-removedEric Stephen2013-03-31T15:04:38-07:002013-03-31T15:04:38-07:00Billingsley, Lilly, Hanley, Elbert to DL
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<figcaption>Rob Tringali</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers on Sunday finalized their opening day roster, including recalling Justin Sellers, who is expected to start at shortstop in the absence of Hanley Ramirez.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Sunday finalized their opening day roster with five transactions, all expected. They recalled infielder <span>Justin Sellers</span> from minor league camp, and placed four players on the disabled list: <span>Hanley Ramirez</span>, <span>Chad Billingsley</span>, <span>Ted Lilly</span>, and <span>Scott Elbert</span>.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/31/4167642/2013-los-angeles-dodgers-opening-day-roster" target="new">2013 opening day roster</a>
</div>
<p>Billingsley was placed on the DL with a right index finger contusion, retroactive to Mar. 22. The earliest he could be activated is Apr. 6, though the Dodgers don't technically need a fifth starter until Apr. 13. Billingsley didn't pitch in a major league game in spring training after Mar. 7. He was unable to throw a curve ball for about 12 days after getting hit by a pitch in the right index finger during a bunting drill. Billingsley has resumed throwing curves, and did so in a bullpen session on Mar. 25 and a six-inning start in a minor league game on Mar. 29.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/26/4150456/scott-elbert-prp-injection-elbow" target="new">Elbert has PRP injection</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/29/4163156/chad-billingsley-minor-league-game-curve" target="new">Billingsley throws curves</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/21/4133682/hanley-ramirez-injury-dodgers-thumb-surgery" target="new">Hanley out 8 weeks</a>
</div>
<p>Lilly was placed on the DL after recovering from left shoulder labrum surgery, retroactive to Mar. 29. Lilly had a rough camp in that he was never able to build up innings. He missed two starts with the flu and had another shortened by rain. Lilly was reluctant to go on the disabled list as recently as Wednesday, but apparently changed his mind.</p>
<p>"I know we've been concerned for a little while now with him. We talked with medical to see if there is anything going on. Teddy has just never caught up. He's been sick, hasn't had a chance to build up arm strength like everybody else," manager Don Mattingly said Thursday. "We're trying to do what's right for everybody."</p>
<p>Ramirez had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb on Mar. 22, an injury suffered in the final game of the World Baseball Classic. His expected return to the Dodgers was eight weeks, which would be May 17.</p>
<p>Elbert was on the disabled list twice after the All-Star break in 2012 with left elbow inflammation, then had a pair of arthroscopic surgeries on his elbow, on Sep. 19 and Jan. 23. His original expected return date was around the first of May, but after experiencing more discomfort in his elbow during spring training he was shut down again. Elbert had an injection of platelet-rich plasma into his left elbow on Mar. 25, and isn't expected back until late May at the absolute earliest.</p>
<p>Sellers was optioned to minor league camp on Mar. 19, but since he was recalled within 20 days of that optional assignment it is essentially nullified.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/31/4167528/dodgers-roster-hanley-ramirez-chad-billingsley-ted-lilly-scott-elbert-disabled-listEric Stephen2013-03-21T16:26:42-07:002013-03-21T16:26:42-07:00Cruz likely to replace Hanley at SS
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Luis Cruz or Dee Gordon figures to be the choice for the Dodgers at shortstop to replace Hanley Ramirez for the next eight weeks.</p> <p>The loss of <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> has thrown the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>' infield plans in disarray, but it's a problem for which the Dodgers plan to solve in house. But losing their shortstop for eight weeks doesn't mean manager Don Mattingly has to like it.</p>
<p>"I'm not comfortable with anything going on at shortstop right now," Mattingly said on Thursday before the Dodgers beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> 5-4 in Tucson.</p>
<p>Not that it gets any clearer once Ramirez returns, given that Ramirez has played a scant few innings at shortstop since the end of last season.</p>
<p>"Am I going to be comfortable in eight weeks with a guy who hasn't played if it's a mess there? It depends what his work looks like I guess," Mattingly said. "Is he going to be able to get tons of work and make us say he looks great still? Then you play in rehab games and that looks great. But again we're in hypotheticals."</p>
<p>To make sure shortstop is not a mess, the Dodgers have two options at the position. They will either move <span>Luis Cruz</span> from third base to shortstop, which opens the hot corner up to a number of candidates, or they insert <span>Dee Gordon</span> at shortstop and hope he is much better than the .228/.280/.281 line he put up in 2012.</p>
<p>Not that offense is the only consideration, or the most important one.</p>
<p>"I lose a shortstop. We've been talking about for a few years about building out team around pitching and being able to catch the ball for them. We picked our catcher last year from the standpoint of calling the game, to be there for the pitching staff, and we'll take what we get offensively," Mattingly said. "Shortstop is one of those positions. We talked about it with Hanley. If he wasn't going to be able to play short good enough to be able to defend there, we were going to have to make a decision there anyway. In my mind it's a defensive position."</p>
<p>The Dodgers made a run at third baseman <span>Scott Rolen</span> during the offseason, but with Ramirez out until mid May general manager Ned Colletti said the team will use its depth to fill the hole rather than turn to Rolen or someone else outside the organization.</p>
<p>"That was really up to Scott at that point and time. I haven't talked to him since whenever that was. If it was going to be all year long we'd think about it differently, but it's not all year long," Colletti said. "At least we have some depth. We have guys that can play there, and we'll try to make the best of it."</p>
<p>Having Cruz at shortstop with a mix of <span>Jerry Hairston Jr.</span>, <span>Juan Uribe</span>, and <span>Nick Punto</span> is the preferred choice, but Gordon shouldn't be counted out. The Dodgers wanted Gordon to start the year in Triple-A Albuquerque to continue to develop, but he could find his way back into the lineup for the first month and a half of the season.</p>
<p>"We didn’t say (Gordon) wasn’t Plan A. We just said we haven’t made a decision yet. Again, this has all happened very quickly," Mattingly said. "Having an original plan where we’re trying to develop a guy and get him back to where we think he can be. Then all of a sudden, you try to totally change gears on the spur of the moment. You should at least take a couple seconds, try to think about it and what’s the best thing for everybody."</p>
<p>Mattingly did say that if Gordon is the primary shortstop, he would likely fit more at the bottom of the batting order than the top, where he batted most of last season.</p>
<p>Though the injury to Ramirez happened in the World Baseball Classic, that certainly wasn't the reason for the injury - "A lot of guys dive every day," Mattingly said - but that doesn't make it any less a bitter pill to swallow.</p>
<p>"You kind of go back to what WBC is intended for and that’s to promote baseball everywhere. Just because one of our guys is the guy who gets hurt – if it was somebody from another team who got hurt, it would still be a great tournament doesn’t seem to be the way to go," Mattingly said. "I thought the tournament was great. I watched that game and I thought the beginning of that game the other night in San Francisco was so cool with all the flags and everything, the whole setup seemed really cool to me.</p>
<p>"Then obviously one of our guys goes down, that’s the risk of the WBC. It sours you a little bit when one of your guys goes down, getting hurt, but I guess, again, there’s nothing you can do. You know guys want to play for their country."</p>
<h3>Notes</h3>
<ul>
<li> <span>Chad Billingsley</span> and <span>Hyun-jin Ryu</span> will each pitch on Saturday, with one throwing during the afternoon in a minor league game, while the other starts the night game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>. Billingsley earlier Thursday told J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2013/03/21/dodgers-chad-billingsley-to-throw-saturday-confident-he-can-make-first-regular-season-start/">he was starting a minor league game</a>, but Mattingly said a decision hasn't yet been made.<br><br>"We haven't decided which way yet. Billingsley has thrown a back field game already. Ryu hasn't," Mattingly said.</li>
<li>Asked if Juan Uribe was a consideration at shortstop, Mattingly said, "I'm looking at him more at the corners."</li>
<li>Matt Guerrer (17 pitches), <span>Kevin Gregg</span> (16 pitches), <span>Ronald Belisario</span> (18 pitches), and <span>Kenley Jansen</span> (20 pitches) each threw a simulated inning on the back fields at Camelback Ranch on Thursday, to batters <span>Carl Crawford</span>, <span>Tim Federowicz</span>, and Luis Cruz. It marked back-to-back outings for all four relievers.</li>
<li> <span>Alex Castellanos</span> hit a three-run home run against the Cubs on Thursday in Tucson, his team-leading fourth long ball of the spring.</li>
<li> <span>Yasiel Puig</span> didn't make the trip to Tucson, a change from the original plans, but that didn't mean his name didn't come up. Asked if the loss of a projected big bat in Ramirez made it easier to try to find a way for Puig on the big league roster, Mattingly was evasive but still provided a great line.<br><br>"If Puig was a shortstop or third baseman, it would be really great right now," Mattingly said. "But we're going to end up with three healthy outfielders. We haven't made any decisions, but there is talk and discussions all over the board just because of the excitement he's created. But Puig doesn't help our shortstop situation."</li>
<li>The Dodgers on Wednesday signed 17-year-old right-handed pitcher Bernardo Reyes out of Sonora, Mexico.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Up next</h3>
<p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> gets the start on Friday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Reds</a> at Camelback Ranch, the last home day game for the Dodgers this spring. <span>Mike Leake</span> starts for Cincinnati.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/21/4132666/hanley-ramirez-injury-dodgers-luis-cruz-dee-gordonEric Stephen2013-03-21T09:25:57-07:002013-03-21T09:25:57-07:00Hanley needs surgery, out 8 weeks
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<p>Ramirez , who tore a ligament in his right thumb, will have the surgery Friday in Los Angeles, and have his thumb immobilized for three weeks.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> will be without their starting shortstop for nearly the first two months of the season. MRI results on <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> showed a tear in the ligament that stabilizes his right thumb, and the shortstop will have surgery on Friday in Los Angeles. He is expected to miss eight weeks.</p>
<p>Ramirez injured the thumb while diving for a ball in the third inning Tuesday night of the World Baseball Classic final in San Francisco, while playing third base. The injury at the time was described as a jammed right thumb. Ramirez actually stayed in the game for two more innings and got a single in his next at-bat.</p>
<p>Ramirez flew to Phoenix on Wednesday for further examination, and the Dodgers were speculating he could miss anywhere from two to 10 weeks. After the surgery, which will be performed by Dr. Steve Shin, a hand specialist at the Kerlan Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles, Ramirez will have his right thumb immobilized for three weeks.</p>
<p>The Dodgers' options to fill in for Ramirez at shortstop are either moving <span>Luis Cruz</span> from third base to shortstop, or simply keeping Cruz at third and inserting <span>Dee Gordon</span> at shortstop. Moving Cruz to shortstop likely makes third base a rotation of <span>Jerry Hairston Jr.</span>, <span>Juan Uribe</span>, and <span>Nick Punto</span>.</p>
<p>The Ramirez injury also opens up an extra bench spot, either for <span>Alex Castellanos</span> to be the right-handed fourth outfielder if Hairston plays more infield, or another utility player who could play shortstop like <span>Elian Herrera</span>, who is on the 40-man roster or maybe <span>Alfredo Amezaga</span>, who isn't.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/21/4131940/hanley-ramirez-injury-dodgers-thumb-surgeryEric Stephen