Dodgers’ Ramirez leaves game early with more hamstring trouble

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

PHOENIX -- The Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez left today’s spring training game in the fourth inning after aggravating a sore hamstring while fielding a double by the Colorado Rockies’ Troy Tulowitzki.

‘When I was going to the line to cut off the ball, the double, [I] felt it,’ said Ramirez, 36. ‘Maybe age is catching up on me,’ he quipped.

Ramirez, who recently signed a new two-year, $45-million contract with the Dodgers, was supposed to have made his Cactus League debut Thursday. He delayed it one day after feeling tightness in his left hamstring during running drills. When he finally did play Friday as the Dodgers’ designated hitter, Ramirez walked twice and singled.

After sitting out Saturday’s game, Ramirez started today in left field for the first time this spring. He had one at-bat, and grounded out, before his injury resurfaced.

Asked if he could play Monday, Ramirez said: ‘I don’t know, take it day by day. You’ve got to be patient, what can you do? You come in early and do all your work, prepare for the season.’

Colorado held a 7-1 lead over the Dodgers when Ramirez left the game at the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch spring-training complex.

-- Jim Peltz