Hanley Ramirez was held out of the Dodgers’ starting lineup Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals and will potentially miss his fourth straight game with a sore right shoulder.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly was hopeful that his shortstop could still make an appearance in tonight’s game:

Ramirez took ground balls at shortstop while his teammates took batting practice Friday, but didn’t range more than a few steps to his left or right, and didn’t throw other than to lob the ball to a coach standing roughly 100 feet away.

Ramirez declined comment when approached before the game.

On Thursday, team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache examined Ramirez and the MRI on his right shoulder. No structural damage was found and the team said that Ramirez “will continue to progress with his hitting and throwing program.” Apparently the throwing program involves lobbing the ball to a coach from 100 feet away, to which the phrase “submaximal” would certainly apply.

Miguel Rojas is starting at shortstop for the Dodgers.