Monday, August 5, 2013

Dodgers await word on Hanley's jammed shoulder

Winning came with a price on Sunday, as towards the end of the Dodgers' 1-0 win for a four-game sweep of the Cubs, Hanley Ramirez had to leave the game after jamming his right shoulder.  The injury occurred on a great play where he caught a foul ball just before he tumbled into the stands.

Then he came out of the stands clutching his shoulder, and suddenly, the joy of a 14-game road winning streak began to waver.

What would an absence of Ramirez mean?  Quite simply, a whole lot.  In 54 games this season, he's hitting .361 with 17 doubles, 2 triples, 11 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 7 stolen bases.  He's emerged as the primary cleanup hitter and has simply raked the ball since he came off the DL for the second time in mid-June.

What is known about the shoulder is that it's not dislocated.  However, that doesn't mean the Dodgers aren't very concerned about it, as they can't help but prepare themselves for the worst.  Will it be an extended DL trip?  Will he need surgery?  Or will he simply need a few days off?  An MRI on Monday will help clear all of this up.

In the meantime, if Ramirez does need a DL trip, then Dee Gordon could be on his way back from Triple-A Albuquerque.  Obviously, there is no comparison between these two players, but that wouldn't be fair to expect Gordon to do what Ramirez does.  Gordon's game is small ball and running.  If he can do that, he's pretty electric.

I'll keep you updated when the Dodgers release news concerning their star.  Hope for the best!

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