Dodgers activate Hanley Ramirez after just two rehab games

Upon further review, and much observation and apparent anguish, the Dodgers decided to activate shortstop Hanley Ramirez prior to their game against the Rockies on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the Dodgers had cleared a roster spot by placing left-hander Clayton Kershaw on the bereavement list.

Ramirez being activated and Ramirez starting, oddly, remained two different things. The Dodgers stuck with Justin Sellers starting at shortstop.

With Mark Ellis on the roster but unavailable because of a quad strain, the Dodgers were already playing a man short. At least Ramirez can come off the bench or pinch-hit Monday.

Ramirez returns about two weeks ahead of schedule following thumb surgery, and it’s hopefully not something of a gamble. He will play with a small splint on his right thumb. In two rehab games over the weekend for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, Ramirez went 3 for 6 without an error.

Ramirez said the thumb wasn’t 100%, but close enough.

“If I want to play,” Ramirez said, “I’m going to have to play with it.”

Ramirez could make his first start Tuesday, which just happens to be his bobblehead night.

Even after determining the thumb was healthy enough, the Dodgers had to determine if he was baseball ready. After two games, and one more pregame practice, they decided he was.