The Official Site of Hanley Ramirez

Mon, Jul 14th 2008, 15:07

Hanley gets day off, ready for All-Star Game

Rather than chance anything, the Marlins gave shortstop Hanley Ramirez a day off on Sunday.

The 24-year-old exited Saturday night’s game in the bottom of the second inning because of a sore right shoulder.

“We’re giving him a day,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “He’s available. He will be lurking around wanting to get in.”

Ramirez said he initially aggravated his throwing shoulder last week at San Diego. He’s been icing it regularly. The sore shoulder will not prevent Ramirez from being ready to start for the National League in Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

“It’s like a regular day off,” said Ramirez, who is batting .311 with 23 home runs and 45 RBIs on the season.

Ramirez is available to play on Sunday, but with the team having won the first three games of the four-game set at Los Angeles, Gonzalez is not taking any chances with his star shortstop.

Alfredo Amezaga started in place of Ramirez on Sunday in Los Angeles.

During pregame warmups on Sunday, Ramirez participated in fielding drills, but he didn’t make long throws. He took batting practice.

After the 2007 season, Ramirez had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder to repair a partial labrum tear. Gonzalez said that if Ramirez’s left shoulder had been aching, it would impact his hitting more, and be more of a problem.

While in New York for the All-Star Game, Ramirez will have familiar medical assistance available. Marlins assistant trainer Mike Kozak will be attending the All-Star Game, along with Ramirez and second baseman Dan Uggla.

One of the elite offensive players in the game, Ramirez has a good chance to be the leadoff batter for the NL.

If that is the case, it would be a high honor for the versatile native of the Dominican Republic.

Voted in by the fans as the second Marlins player in history to start in the All-Star Game, Tuesday’s contest will have special meaning because it is at storied Yankee Stadium.

“Yankee Stadium has a lot of history, and I’m happy to be part of it,” Ramirez said. “I think it’s going to be fun.”

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