CHICAGO (AP) – Manny Ramirez is back where he’s supposed to be, batting cleanup for the Boston Red Sox.

A day after manager Grady Little benched his slugger in a thinly veiled punishment for his recent antics, Ramirez was back in Boston’s lineup Wednesday night.

“I just want to make a statement that Manny Ramirez is back in the lineup tonight in left field, and he’s back out there because we feel like that’s the best chance we’ve got to win tonight,” Little said before Boston’s game against the Chicago White Sox.

“That’s the way we’re going to approach every single game the rest of the way.”

Little claimed he wasn’t punishing his slugger by benching him Tuesday, but the message was clear.

Ramirez missed the weekend series against the New York Yankees with pharyngitis – the ailment that forced pitcher Pedro Martinez to miss a start the previous week – yet was spotted out Saturday night.

Then when Little asked him to pinch-hit Monday, Ramirez said he was still “too weak.”

“I’m putting the team out there that I feel gives us the best chance to win,” Little said Tuesday.

Yet that didn’t include a guy who is hitting .317 and is a career .455 against Bartolo Colon, Chicago’s starter Tuesday. Ramirez declined to comment on the benching.

Boston beat the White Sox 2-1 Tuesday night, with substitute left fielder Gabe Kapler hitting the go-ahead home run.

Little said he didn’t speak with Ramirez before posting Wednesday’s lineup.

“I think he’s ready to play left field tonight, that’s why I’ve got him in there,” he said. “And be a part of us winning the game.”

Asked what he expects of Ramirez, who hasn’t played since last Wednesday, Little said, “Two homers and six RBIs.”

“I hope to see a guy that goes out there and contributes to the success of our team,” Little added.

And for the rest of the season?

“Generally, when we’re trying to win a game, he’s in there,” Little said. “Taking all factors into consideration.”

AP-ES-09-03-03 1759EDT