Dodgers put Manny Ramirez on disabled list
Outfielder Manny Ramirez wanted to wait until Monday to decide whether to go on the 15-day disabled list, but the Dodgers figured doing so wouldn’t be worth playing a man short until then and made the move official.
The move was one of several the Dodgers made Saturday.
Right-hander Ramon Troncoso was sent to triple-A Albuquerque, and outfielder Xavier Paul and left-hander Travis Schlichting were called up.
Ramirez, who was out of the lineup for the third consecutive game because of a strained right hamstring, will be eligible to be activated when the Dodgers return from the All-Star break on July 15 in St. Louis. The outfielder has said he might want to go on a minor league rehabilitation assignment before then, Manager Joe Torre said.
Because time during the All-Star break counts toward time spent on the disabled list, Ramirez will sit out only 11 games.
Ramirez went into a monthlong slump upon being activated from his first stint on the disabled list this season. He appeared to be turning around his season in recent weeks, batting .460 with three home runs and 15 runs batted in over his last 15 games.
Torre said he didn’t want to play with a 24-man roster or risk reinjuring Ramirez for the “remote” possibility that he would be able to play Tuesday or Wednesday.
Troncoso surprised
Troncoso, who has a 5.15 earned-run average in 39 appearances, said he was surprised by his demotion to triple A but said he understood why it was necessary.
“I know that’s going to make me better,” Troncoso said. “There are more opportunities to work. Here is not the right place to be for work.”
Torre said the Dodgers want Troncoso to work on becoming more consistent with his delivery, which would translate into him becoming more consistent with his trademark sinker.
Troncoso didn’t give up a run in the 3 2/3 innings spanning his last three appearances, including a two innings Friday, but Torre said he remains uncertain of Troncoso’s ability to duplicate those results.
Troncoso was used heavily early in the season, appearing in 14 of the Dodgers’ first 20 games. He denied that was a factor in his declining performance.
Troncoso said he wasn’t upset that the move to Albuquerque might separate him from his wife and 3-month-old daughter.
“I think my wife understands that this is our job,” he said. “There’s nothing guaranteed, especially when you have options.”
Back again
Paul’s promotion was his third of the season, putting him on pace to match the six major league stints Blake DeWitt had in his hectic 2009 season.
But whereas DeWitt had trouble with the constant change of scenery, Paul has had no issue.
Paul was batting .348 with 12 home runs and 34 RBIs in 45 games at triple A. He was the Dodgers’ starting left fielder Saturday.
At 25, Paul is at an age other clubs might consider a player for an everyday role. But Paul said he has accepted the reality of being buried on the depth chart because of the Dodgers’ outfield depth.
“I’ve played with and against guys that have gone up and played with clubs that aren’t winning,” Paul said. “The great thing about this club is that even if it’s hard to break into the lineup, it’s a winning organization.”
Ausmus on the mend
Catcher Brad Ausmus, who underwent back surgery in April, could start a minor league rehabilitation assignment soon after the All-Star break, Torre said.
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