Dodgers Injury Update: Ramirez Likely To Return When Eligible

[new_royalslider id=”5″] Among the spots on the roster that have been most affected by injuries this season has been the left side of the Los Angeles Dodgers infield.

Juan Uribe has twice landed on the disabled list with a right hamstring issue and Hanley Ramirez has battled an assortment of ailments. Ramirez managed to avoid the DL before eventually succumbing due to an oblique injury.

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The decision to replace Ramirez on the DL was retroactive to Aug. 9, which means he’s eligible to return Aug. 24 when the Dodgers host the New York Mets.

Although some oblique injuries can take approximately one month to heal, Ramirez is on track to be activated once eligible, according to the J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News Group:

Hanley Ramirez is still on track to return once his 15 days on the DL are up. He won't return at third base, Don Mattingly said. #Dodgers

— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 17, 2014

The notion that Ramirez would see time at third base was fueled by pre-game workouts on Saturday as he was fielding ground balls at the position. The transition to third has long been speculated as an eventual change for Ramirez who at best, is considered an average defender at shortstop.

Once Ramirez returns, the Dodgers will have an abundance of infielders who naturally fit the shortstop position. With Uribe on the DL, Justin Turner is pressed into starting duty with Miguel Rojas the only other player on the active roster who has logged time at the hot corner.

Manger Don Mattingly has stated the plan for Darwin Barney is to play multiple positions, however third base isn’t one that the infielder is comfortable at just yet. Ramirez is in the final year of his contract and the parties involved have agreed to hold off on contract talks until after the season.
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