PHOENIX (AP) – Dodger manager Joe Torre said it was a mistake to put Manny Ramirez in the outfield last weekend and that his star slugger will be restricted to hitting when he first returns to exhibition play.
“I don’t think he needs to play left field in every game he plays, no question,” Torre said Tuesday. “And if I had it to do all over again, I would have DHed him a few more days.”
Ramirez agreed to a $45 million, two-year contract on March 4 and played in his first game nine days later, singling and walking twice as a designated hitter.
He played the field Sunday against Colorado and felt a tight hamstring the first time he tried to run full out, chasing a Trot Tulowitzki double into the left-field corner.
Ramirez, who won’t play again until the soreness is completely gone, took part in the hitting portion of Tuesday morning’s workout. His running was restricted to pool work and it will remain so for three or four more days.
“He’s frustrated, but he understands,” Torre said. “I told him if he plays a week or 10 days of baseball games, you should be fine. It’s bothering him because he wants to play. He feels well enough to. His body is telling him otherwise when he tries to exert himself – but he’s not going to stand there in left field and not run after the ball.”
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