Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez might play his first regular-season game of 2013 tonight against the Colorado Rockies. (Keith Birmingham/Staff photographer)
Ramirez was expected to be activated at some point during the Dodgers’ three-game series against the Rockies when he showed up at Dodger Stadium Monday. He pronounced himself fit to play before heading off to field ground balls and take a round of batting practice, a normal pregame routine.
Kershaw left immediately after Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers and did not take questions from reporters.
A team spokesperson said that Kershaw was attending to “a personal matter.” He’s expected to address the situation when he returns to the team. MLB rules specify that the list is only for players who are dealing with a death or serious illness in their immediate family, or a spouse’s immediate family.
By rule Kershaw must remain on the bereavement list for a minimum of three games and no longer than seven games. That means he’ll be eligible to make his next scheduled start Friday against the San Francisco Giants.
“As of right now we do” expect Kershaw to start Friday, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “We’ll see where he goes.”
Mattingly said that Matt Magill might make his second start of the season Friday if Kershaw doesn’t pitch.
Ramirez is still wearing a flexible splint on his right thumb. He had surgery on the thumb March 22 to repair a torn ligament and was expected to miss eight weeks. The five-week anniversary of the surgery was Friday, and Ramirez could be in the splint until the eight weeks are up.
The splint affects Ramirez’s ability to throw more than his ability to hit.
“I’ve just got to get used to it,” he said. “I’m not 100 percent but I can defend myself in the field. I just want to be in there. I don’t want to wait any longer.”
Ramirez isn’t in the Dodgers’ starting lineup Monday, but he could be available off the bench. It’s possible that he could get his first start tomorrow.
