Manny Ramirez could start rehab assignment Wednesday

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We’re pinch-hitting for Steve Dilbeck today. And let’s hope we can do a little better than Dodgers pinch-hitters, who are batting just .217 this season.

And speaking of the Dodgers’ fizzling offense, which has been shut out a major league-worst 14 times this season, it may be on the verge of a significant upgrade.

Manny Ramirez, who has made three trips to the disabled with right leg problems this season, will begin a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday with Class A Inland Empire, and though there is no timetable for his return, he could be back with the Dodgers by the weekend.

All-Star shortstop Rafael Furcal, out since Aug. 3 because of a low back strain, suffered a setback in his comeback, however, and may not be ready to play until later this week at the earliest.

Ramirez, hitting .317 in 61 games for the Dodgers this season, ran and did a series of agility drills for about 75 minutes Tuesday afternoon, then took his regular batting practice, launching a couple of balls into the bleachers.

‘Every ballplayer will tell you that it’s different in a game,’ Dodgers trainerStan Conte said. ‘The intensity is just a bit more. He ran today. And he ran as hard, I think, as anybody can run in that situation. But there’s always another gear, there’s always that 90-plus that you need in a game situation when someone’s trying to throw you out at third base and you have to kind of pick it up a little bit.’

Ramirez has become well-versed in rehab assignments in his last year and half with the Dodgers. And Manager Joe Torre has become accustomed to waiting for Ramirez to come back. At this point, Torre said, it’s as much about communication and trust as anything else.

‘He’s been away a month. So he pretty much is going to have to rest his wares, so to speak,’ Torre said. ‘And you have to rely on him to tell you when he thinks he’s ready.

‘I know it’s been frustrating during the season because he’s had a few different bouts with this. I don’t think he’s going to know for sure until he gets out there and tries to play on it.’

Ramirez will likely play a minimum of three minor league games. If everything goes well, could return to Dodger Stadium by Saturday for another checkup, after which he could be activated from the disabled list.

The timetable is less clear for Furcal, who accompanied the Dodgers on their recent trip. He showed up at the ballpark Tuesday with some back soreness and Conte says his rehab has taken ‘half a step back.’

Furcal, hitting .316 in 76 games, was to see a back specialist Tuesday evening and could return to baseball activities by Wednesday. But Conte did not want to guess when he might be ready to play in a rehab game.

-- Kevin Baxter