July 3, 2014: Dylan Hernandez writes a feature in which Hanley Ramirez, probably injured, still wants to play:
"I can still help this team win games," Ramirez said. [...]
Still, he didn't want to be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
"They want me to take it easy," he said, "I can't do it."
To be cleared to play, Ramirez had to show trainers in a pregame workout he could run at full speed.
Ramirez made it sound as if the strained left calf and irritated right shoulder that were responsible for his recent absences hadn't completely healed. Manager Don Mattingly said Ramirez wouldn't play every game leading up to the All-Star break and probably would be the team's designated hitter for both games of their upcoming two-game set against the Detroit Tigers.Hanley Ramirez, with his offensive production and defensive range limited by a body that is betraying him, nonetheless insisted on playing Friday.
July 4, 2014: Hanley is hit on the other hand during a 9-0 blowout victory. Ramirez leaves the game early...but still. Shouldn't we be resting Ramirez, at this point?
No X-rays were taken and none are planned, the club announced.
"He could have stayed in," Mattingly said Friday night after the Dodgers' 9-0 victory over the Rockies. "I was going to give him a day off tomorrow, but now he'll play."
Ramirez initially stayed in the game, stole second base and scored on Scott Van Slyke's three-run homer.
But with an eight-run lead, Erisbel Arruebarrena took over for Ramirez at shortstop, as he did the night before in the bottom of the eighth inning.DENVER -- Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez is "fine," manager Don Mattingly said after removing him for precautionary reasons because he was struck on the back of the left hand by a pitch from Rockies starter Jair Jurrjens.
I've watched games where Hanley is shaking Stan Conte off like he's an overweight groupie in a nightclub (not that I have experience with this; nor am I necessarily calling Conte overweight). But logic has to prevail here; let's rest Hanley for 15 days, using the All-Star break as a bonus, and get him back for the second half healthier and more able to produce.
2 comments:
Are you suggesting that we start to call him Ham instead of HanRam using the hamstring as a metaphor for his multiple ongoing ailments?
I agree with Saxy, that rest would be great. I think it would be a little different if we were still 9 games back.
I don't question his toughness if that's what he's trying to prove to everyone.
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