Hanley Ramirez expects to suit up tonight for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series despite the fact that he fractured a rib.
A CT scan on Sunday revealed that Ramirez has a hairline fracture on his rib. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that his star shortstop will play tonight if he can deal with pain.
Mattingly said: “Hanley’s not in any danger of hurting himself any further… It’s just a painful thing. We’ll see what Hanley is going to be able to do. I know he wants to play.”
The LA Times reports that Ramirez will be game-time decision.
Ramirez was hit by a pitch during Friday’s game and had to miss game 2 on Saturday. The Dodgers are now down 2-0 to the St. Louis Cardinals and they could certainly use Ramirez in the lineup.
Pitcher Clayton Kershaw said: “Hanley’s been our best player… Every time he’s in the lineup he’s probably the best guy on the field. You can’t dwell on it, but it definitely doesn’t help our chances.”
Ramirez may not be back in the lineup tonight and he may not be back for the rest of the season.
Mattingly said : “It’s just a painful thing. It could be a week, it could be two weeks before this thing’s gone. Certain things it’s hard to play with.”
The Dodgers could also be without Andre Ethier. Like Ramirez, the center fielder is a game-time decision tonight’s game.
