Manny agrees to Albuquerque stint

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Dodgers Manager Joe Torre confirmed today that Manny Ramirez has agreed to begin playing for triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday to prepare for his return to the Dodgers from a 50-game drug suspension.

Torre said Ramirez, who is eligible to rejoin the Dodgers on July 3, would probably be the designated hitter when the Isotopes play host to Nashville on Tuesday.

“It’s just a matter of competing,” Torre said of a minor league stint that could last as many as 10 games. “I think it’s the idea of going and playing a game and sort of getting himself acclimated to that.”

Torre said he did not know how long Ramirez would remain with Albuquerque, but sources said the left fielder would play with the Isotopes for four games before playing in as many as three games with Class-A Inland Empire.

Asked if Ramirez would be able to play nine innings upon his return to the Dodgers early next month in San Diego, Torre said it would depend on “what happens between Tuesday and the time we activate him.”

Ramirez’s hand was grazed by a pitch today during batting practice at Dodger Stadium, Torre said, but the slugger was not injured.

“I don’t think it will impact anything,” Torre said.

-- WiIliam Brink