Dodgers put Manny Ramirez on 15-day disabled list

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The Dodgers’ offensive powerhouse, and the team’s star wattage, took a blow Friday when they placed Manny Ramirez on the 15-day disabled list.

Ramirez has been battling a strained right calf since the season’s opening series in Pittsburgh. He aggravated the calf Thursday night in Cincinnati and left the game in the sixth inning.

Ramirez had an MRI on the calf Friday morning in Washington, D.C. Results were not available, but the leg clearly was bothering him enough that the Dodgers felt it prudent to place him on the DL.

The Dodgers called up outfielder Xavier Paul to replace him on the roster.
Paul, the same outfielder they called up last season when Ramirez was hit with a 50-game suspension for using performance enhancing drugs, was hitting .386 for triple-A Albuquerque, with three home runs, nine RBIs and 18 runs in 14 games.

The Dodgers survived the 50-game loss of Ramirez last season, even extending their lead in the National League West.

But that team was built around a strong starting staff and baseball’s best bullpen.

This loss of Ramirez in the cleanup spot could prove to have a very different impact this time. This year’s team has been struggling to get its rotation in order, and the bullpen has been one of baseball’s worst.

The team offense, meanwhile, leads the majors in runs (98) and hitting (.311).

-- Steve Dilbeck