Hanley Ramirez will be out somewhere between 2-10 weeks with a thumb injury sustained while playing for the Dominican Republic in the final of the World Baseball Classic, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
Ramirez, playing third base for the Dominican, jammed the thumb while diving for a ground ball in the third inning of the WBC final.
Ramirez is expected to undergo an MRI and more information should be available later today. “The optimistic side is … it’s just a sprain and it’s a couple weeks,” Manager Don Mattingly said. “The pessimistic side is it could be something major and it’s more long-term, eight to 10 weeks.”
With opening day in 12 days it would appear very unlikely that Ramirez will be the opening day shortstop for the Dodgers. If Ramirez is unable to play Luis Cruz would take over at shortstop and the Dodgers would likely rotate Jerry Hairston Jr., Juan Uribe and Nick Punto at third base. Dee Gordon could also be in the mix.
More Dodgers News: Carl Crawford continues his rehab and is still optimistic of being ready for opening day. General manager Ned Colletti echoed the sentiment. Chad Billingsley completed a bullpen session without incident on Wednesday. Billingsley is nursing a sore index finger sustained in a bunting drill on Friday.
