Hanley Ramirez Injury: Updates on Dodgers Star's AC Joint Irritation and Return

Updates from Friday, June 13

The Dodgers report good news with tonight's lineup:

Updates from Thursday, June 12

MLBLineups confirm Hanley Ramirez's status for today's game:

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly also spoke about Ramirez's status (via Manny Randhawa of MLB.com):

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"It's kind of encouraging," Mattingly said. "Obviously, he's not in the lineup, but it's encouraging that this is going to be a day or two days. The fact that he walked in this morning feeling better, with a little bit more movement, it was encouraging."

Mattingly said he thought Ramirez would be able to pinch-hit if necessary.

"Obviously, it's something where [head trainer Stan Conte] will crank him up through the course of the game, and then we make that decision as we get there."

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Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times had more on Ramirez's treatment:

Original Text

The Los Angeles Dodgers could have to compete without a major contributor as Hanley Ramirez deals with a shoulder injury.    

Although the severity of the injury is not yet known, the shortstop was scratched from his team's game on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds, according to the Dodgers' official Twitter account:

Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register didn't think the injury was very serious:

And it must not have been very serious. Ramirez entered Wednesday night's game, as Plunkett reports:

He would ground into an inning-ending double play. 

Ramirez had done a good job of staying healthy this year while playing 62 of the Dodgers' first 66 games, a high mark considering the veteran's injury history. He has been held to fewer than 100 games in two of the last three years with various issues.

Of course, that did not stop him from having an extremely productive year in 2013, batting .345 with 20 home runs to finish eighth in the MVP voting. He has been less impressive this season, with a .256 batting average, 10 home runs and 38 RBI, but he still has the talent to help the Dodgers offensively.

If the shortstop is forced to miss any additional time, Miguel Rojas will continue getting games, as will veteran Chone Figgins. 

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