Joe Torre: Manny Ramirez to join Albuquerque Isotopes on Tuesday

Russell Martin figured his first home run of the season might prompt this kind of reaction. Not that it made it any less enjoyable.

The Dodgers catcher briefly received the silent treatment from his teammates in the dugout Saturday night at Angel Stadium after hitting a solo homer in the third inning of the Dodgers’ 6-4 victory over the Angels.

“A little humor,” said Martin, who had not homered since Sept. 26 against San Francisco. “It’s all fun when you’re winning.”

Martin, who averaged 16 homers in his first two full major league seasons, had not homered in 217 at-bats this season before Saturday.

“It definitely feels good to get that first one out of the way,” said Martin, who also singled twice and finished three for four. “Hopefully, they come in bunches now.”

Martin said he has felt more comfortable at the plate recently after working with hitting coach Don Mattingly.

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Ramirez plans set

Dodgers Manager Joe Torre confirmed that Manny Ramirez has agreed to begin playing for triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday to prepare for his return to the Dodgers from a 50-game drug suspension.

Torre said Ramirez, who is eligible to rejoin the Dodgers on July 3, would probably be the designated hitter when the Isotopes play host to Nashville on Tuesday.

“It’s just a matter of competing,” Torre said of a minor league stint that could last as many as 10 games. “I think it’s the idea of going and playing a game and sort of getting himself acclimated to that.”

Torre said he did not know how long Ramirez would remain with Albuquerque, but sources said the left fielder would play with the Isotopes for four games before playing in as many as three games with Class-A Inland Empire.

Asked whether Ramirez would be able to play nine innings upon his return to the Dodgers early next month in San Diego, Torre said it would depend on “what happens between Tuesday and the time we activate him.”

Given all the rest he’s had, might Ramirez be even more durable once he gets his timing back?

“Damn right,” Torre joked. “He doesn’t require any days off now.”

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Broxton is back

It was a situation Jonathan Broxton would have preferred to avoid.

The closer entered with a four-run lead in the ninth inning Saturday in his return from a sore toe that had forced him to miss the previous three games. Broxton walked Juan Rivera before eventually giving up a two-run home run to pinch-hitter Gary Matthews Jr., the first homer Broxton has given up this season.

Martin said Broxton struggled at times with command of his fastball, but velocity was not an issue. His fastball reached 97 mph on a strikeout of Kendry Morales.

“Broxton was a little rusty, but he was fine,” Torre said.

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Short hops

Torre said he spoke to Orlando Hudson about his sacrifice bunt in the ninth inning Friday that moved Rafael Furcal into scoring position with one out. Furcal was stranded there when Casey Blake and Matt Kemp struck out. “I told [Hudson] I’d rather have him swinging in that situation,” Torre said. . . . Ramirez’s hand was grazed by a pitch Saturday during batting practice at Dodger Stadium, Torre said, but the slugger was not injured. . . . Eric Milton, recovering from a strained back, is scheduled to pitch for Inland Empire today in what could be his last rehabilitation start before rejoining the Dodgers next weekend.

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ben.bolch@latimes.com

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DODGERS-ANGELS TODAY

When: 5 p.m.

Where: Angel Stadium.

On the air: TV: ESPN; Radio: 790, 830, 930, 1330.

Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw vs. John Lackey.

Update: Lackey is 5-1 with a 1.50 earned-run average in eight starts against the Dodgers, though he did not receive a decision during the Angels’ 5-4 loss to their Southland rivals May 23. The right-hander gave up three runs in seven innings before the Angels’ bullpen squandered a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning. Kershaw is 0-2 this month but has pitched fairly well, compiling a 3.29 ERA and pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings Tuesday during the Dodgers’ 5-4 victory over Oakland.

-- Ben Bolch