Hanley Ramirez expected to return to lineup Sunday

It’s the start to the return of the wounded, or at least that’s the plan.

Hanley Ramirez is scheduled to come off the disabled list Sunday, and Manager Don Mattingly said he expects to start him against the Mets. That’s even with an off-day Monday.

Ramirez has been on the DL since Aug. 9 with a strained oblique. He has been taking infield and hitting in the cage for several days without apparent limitation or setback.

The ever-cautious Mattingly said “as of right now” he plans to activate him on schedule. Ramirez was batting .333 (10 for 30) in August before going on the DL, with six RBI.

Going into Saturday’s game, the Dodgers were 7-6 with him on the DL. He will be returning without making any rehab appearances.

“If he’s good to go, I plan on playing him,” Mattingly said.

Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu went on the disabled list five days after Ramirez with a strained buttock, and he also appears on schedule to return when eligible next Friday.

“He’s really close,” Mattingly said. “We’ve had zero setbacks. He’s feeling really good and has been able to do more and more. You don’t really have to worry about him going out and throwing a rehab game. It just gets to the point if there’s no pain and he’s ready to let it go, he can get off the mound and let it go.”

Mattingly also said Josh Beckett (hip impingement) threw Saturday, kind of. He said it was from a sitting position. If Beckett elects to have surgery, his season – if not career – would be over.

“The fact that he’s trying to throw tells you he’s trying to get himself ready in some way, shape or form,” Mattingly said.