Hanley Ramirez is in the Dodgers lineup Wednesday night, batting second after leaving Tuesday’s game with an injured ring finger on his throwing hand.
He hurt it trying to field a smash ground ball in the seventh inning that ended up bouncing off his right hand and into center field.
“I’m not real sure he’s going to make it today, but we’ll see if he can throw and hit,” manager Don Mattingly told reporters before the game. He clarified that he meant he’s not sure Ramirez will make it through the game fully, but gave the shortstop the start to give him a chance.
Ramirez looked fine taking ground balls on the field a few hours before the game. He also didn’t show any pain while hitting a couple of balls over the wall during batting practice.
Uribe’s return imminent
The Dodgers also announced Wednesday that third baseman Juan Uribe will play three rehab games for Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga starting Thursday, and he could return to the team as early as Monday when they travel to Kansas City.
“As long as everything goes well there he’ll play three in a row there,” Mattingly told reporters. “He’ll (be designated hitter), he’ll play a couple of games in the field and then we’ll assess where he’s at.”
The club gave Uribe the day off today so he could spend time with family in town visiting.
The 35-year-old has been hampered by a nagging right hamstring. He initially hurt it May 9 against San Francisco, and went on the disabled list after reinjuring the leg May 20 against the Mets.
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Crawford’s ankle still ailing
Carl Crawford has returned to Arizona, after a short trip to Los Angeles earlier this week for an MRI on his injured left ankle. The team says the procedure showed inflammation in the ankle, and the Dodgers left fielder is not participating in any baseball activities.
He’s been on the shelf since May 28, and he’s not likely to return anytime soon. In his absence Matt Kemp has solidified himself as the team’s everyday left fielder, so even when he does return, Crawford will probably go back to his early season role as platoon player.
