Dodgers put Manny Ramirez on waivers

This could be the beginning of the end.

Or this could be nothing.

Manny Ramirez was put on waivers Wednesday, according to multiple baseball sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because waiver-wire activity is supposed to be kept secret.

The step is the first the Dodgers would have to take if they intend to sever ties with the once-beloved outfielder, something they appear open to doing as they moved to 5-1/2 games behind in the wild-card race after beating the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-4.

Before the game, Manager Joe Torre sighed and rolled his eyes when asked about the Ramirez situation for the second time in two days.

“I can’t comment on it,” he said. “Waivers are something that’s supposed to be very confidential. It’s not something that’s supposed to be talked about.”

The Dodgers have started exploring a deal with the Chicago White Sox, who made a low-ball offer for Ramirez at the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline. The Chicago Tribune reported that the teams are talking about a trade that would send Ramirez to the White Sox in exchange for salary relief and players.

Two other potential suitors for Ramirez, the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays, had scouts in San Bernardino and Los Angeles when Ramirez played there last week. The same scouts were in Milwaukee on Tuesday.

By no means is any of this a guarantee that Ramirez will finish the season elsewhere, since putting a player on waivers in considered a standard practice in baseball.

Most players are believed to land on the waiver wire at some point in August, if only to provide their team with more options. A player on waivers can be let go or traded. Or, as is the case more often than not, remain with his current team.

So the fact that the Dodgers also put Casey Blake, Scott Podsednik and Jay Gibbons on waivers, according to sources, doesn’t mean that they are holding a fire sale. But it could also mean they are.

Blake said he heard he was put on waivers but shrugged it off, noting that it happens to many players this time of the season.

“I try not to put too much thought into it,” he said.

Ramirez was two for two, including a run-scoring double; Blake was two for five, including a double; Podsednik had a pinch-hit single and Gibbons walked as a pinch-hitter.

The Dodgers are said to be particularly open to moving Ramirez because of their desire to unburden themselves of the $4 million or so he is owed for the remainder of the season.

Teams have until Friday to submit claims on Ramirez.

If multiple claims are filed, a National League team would get priority over any American League team. And if it comes down to multiple teams from the same league, the claim would be awarded to the one with the worst record.

If Ramirez is claimed, the Dodgers have the option of pulling him back and keeping him or trading him to the team that was awarded the claim by Tuesday. If the Dodgers let go of Ramirez without asking for anything in return, the claiming team would assume the remainder of his salary.

If Ramirez clears waivers without being claimed, he can be traded to any team.

Ramirez can block any waiver claim or trade because of the no-trade provision in his contract, but he is believed to be open to playing in the American League, where he could audition for his next contract as a designated hitter.

Asked about his thoughts on being put on waivers and whether he would consider waiving his no-trade clause, Ramirez said, “No, I have no comment on that.”

Opinions varied as to what would happen to Ramirez, as some baseball officials said he would likely clear waivers because of his hefty salary while other said they expected him to be claimed by an NL team.

As for the potential disruption to his team, Torre said, “Unfortunately there are certain things you have to deal with.

“I’ve been this game a long time, people come and go. It’s what it is. Manny’s been a good soldier over here, and continues to be a good soldier.”

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com

Times staff writer Jim Peltz contributed to this report from Milwaukee

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