Dodgers again lose Manny Ramirez to leg injury

Wondered what it would be like next year for the Dodgers without Manny Ramirez?

You may not have to wonder any longer.

Manny left another game Friday with tightness in his right calf.

He had just come off the disabled list Thursday with a sore right hamstring. He also went on the disabled list in April with a right calf strain.

The Dodgers are giving him the old day-to-day prognosis for now, but it’s becoming increasingly clear the Dodgers may not be able to count on the 38-year-old outfielder even this season.

He started Friday’s game in St. Louis and drew a first-inning walk. He never advanced past first, though he did run hard to second when Casey Blake popped up  for the final out.

When the Dodgers took the field in the bottom of the first, Xavier Paul was in Ramirez’s position in left field.

Ramirez is in the last year of his contract, and at his age, it is understood he will sign next season with an American League team as a designated hitter.

The Dodgers, however, were counting on him being a key, productive part of their team this season. And he has been when he’s played.

Ramirez is batting .317, with eight home runs and 39 RBI in 186 at-bats. Matt Kemp leads the team with 353 at-bats.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Left fielder Manny Ramirez watches the Dodgers play the Diamondbacks on July 4. Credit: Nick Doan / EPA

Comments

[Zen]

Steve,

Your prediction that Money would again be injured, was prophetic.

I think he's a slacker, playing hooky, sleeping through the alarm.

Trade him for Juan Pierre and a skateboard, or a frog, or a ball of string.

[Mark Nolan]

Are they sure it was the RIGHT calf ? I have to ask because as a Red Sox fan I seem to recall toward the end of his days in Boston Manny at one point was hobbling around on his "bad knee." I know it was in September, Manny's time for his annual two-week vacation...Nope, Manny just couldn't go...Too banged up...Serious injury...

Only problem was, one day he was favoring his left leg and the next day he was favoring his right leg. When a Boston sports writer pointed that out to him, Manny at first was somewhat confused (If you can imagine that...) Then he got a tad angry at the reporter for being so observant.

At least he didn't knock the reporter to the ground like he did to that 71-year-old Red Sox front office employee who weighs 165 pounds soaking wet...

I've been watching baseball since 1963 and Manny Ramirez is definitely the best right-handed hitter I've ever seen. And the Los Angeles Dodgers were definitely fools to sign him.

Some day you'll agree with me. It's just a matter of time...

[Dave]

Even when Manny leaves at the end of the season, the Dodgers will still be paying him. $8.3 million in 2011 and 2012, and $13.3 million in 2013. Talk about a lingering wound...

[Tom Thompson]

Like everyone else... I can't help but wonder if it's the 38 year old body giving up on him or if it's the 38 year old boy giving up on his team. Torre says its day-to-day. I guess by that he means that you never know from one day to the next what is really going on with Mr. Rameriz.

[gomanniego]

it's high time that "confetti-for-brains" pulls the plug on the manny-era, & "deep-six" him, just as they did (?supposedly?) w/lefty sherrill........

manny ought to be placed on waivers immediately, then if any other team is stooooooooooopid enuf to claim him, so be it, as they then will be on the hook for the rest of his (highly overpaid) salary, so it's win-win for dodgers, as they rid themselves of a big dud, & save major bux @ same time