Dodgers pregame notes: Manny Ramirez returns to Boston

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

There were around 30 reporters in the cramped visitors’ clubhouse at Fenway Park on Friday, waiting to be ignored by Manny Ramirez, who was making his long-awaited return to the stadium he once called home.

‘Who are they waiting for?’ Ronnie Belliard said aloud in Spanish.

Matt Kemp was the first to approach Ramirez when he showed up, using his bat as a make-believe microphone to mock-interview Ramirez.

‘Manny smells good today, guys,’ Kemp said, as he retreated to his own locker.

But Ramirez barely said anything to reporters, continuing his four-month media blackout.

‘We’re going to have a meeting at 4:30,’ he said as he retreated to the opposite end of the clubhouse. ‘Media, out.’

The reception Ramirez received from the early arriving fans was more warm than it was cold, as several fans held up signs and No. 24 Red Sox jerseys with his name across the back.

Some fans started cheering his name when he golfed a couple of balls over the Green Monster in the second round of batting practice.

-- General Manager Ned Colletti said that he is focused on acquiring a starting pitcher as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline nears. ‘Conversations are picking up a little bit,’ Colletti said. He added that he hasn’t been told what the Dodgers can or can’t afford to do from a financial standpoint.

-- Manager Joe Torre said that Rafael Furcal will be out though Sunday, at very least. Furcal is in his native Dominican Republic on bereavement leave.

-- Torre said he plans to use Ramirez as a designated hitter in all three games in Boston, in part because he doesn’t want to have to remove him late in games for defensive purposes.

-- Encouraged by the positive feedback he received from friends, Reed Johnson kept his Fu Manchu mustache even though the Dodgers’ winning streak ended on Thursday.

-- Dylan Hernandez in Boston