Dodgers’ Hanley Ramirez is worried shoulder soreness might persist

Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez said Sunday he is prepared to return to the lineup depsite a sore right shoulder but said he hopes the discomfort does not linger through the year.

“Hopefully, it’s not something I have to deal with the rest of the season,” he said.

Ramirez jammed his right shoulder last Sunday. He completed a full workout Sunday but said he still felt discomfort when extending his right arm on his swing and when throwing to first base.

“I’m just worried if I am going to keep feeling that every time I throw the ball,” he said. “If I have to play like that, I’ll play.”

Ramirez said the Dodgers’ medical staff has assured him the condition should improve over time. Indeed, Ramirez said, “I’m getting better every day.”

Ramirez sat out his seventh consecutive start Sunday. In his lone apperance over the last week, he struck out as a pinch-hitter Friday. If the Dodgers had not used him, they could have put him on the 15-day disabled list and activated him a week from Monday.

Manager Don Mattingly said the team had no regrets over its decision to keep Ramirez off the disabled list, citing the Dodgers’ 5-1 record from Monday through Saturday.

“What does it hurt you? We’ve been able to survive it so far,” Mattingly said. “If it ends up being 10 [days], it still saves us five.”