Injured shortstop Hanley Ramirez told ESPNLosAngeles.com Tuesday that he expects to be back in the Dodgers' lineup "way sooner" than his original mid-May target date. Ramirez has been out of action while recovering from surgery on his right thumb.
The 29-year-old has begun taking batting practice and fielding grounders. The team has outfitted him with a special splint that allows him to throw while protecting his surgically repaired right thumb. "It's awesome. No pain, nothing," Ramirez said Tuesday. "Definitely it's going to happen way sooner than it's supposed to."
Ramirez would not reveal when his comeback will take place, promising to tweet his followers when he is ready to return. Los Angeles has struggled offensively from the shortstop position with Ramirez replacements hitting just .167, worst in the majors.
The Dodgers have used Justin Sellers primarily at shortstop and Luis Cruz at third base, largely due to a lack of other options. After going hitless in the team's 9-2 loss to the Padres on Tuesday, Cruz is batting .103 and Sellers is hitting .167. They each have one RBI.
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