Hanley’s Return Imminent

The return of Hanley Ramirez appears imminent. Any day now, Hanley will be activated, and could possibly make his return as soon as Monday or Tuesday night. Ramirez played in his second rehab assignment today with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Last night Ramirez was 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly. Today he had three plate appearances and had two hits, a single and a double. He also started a double play, and looked fine making throws in the field.

Yes we see you too Hanley-Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Hanley injured and broke his thumb in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic back in March. The original diagnosis and timeline was for Hanley to be out until the last week of May, but Hanley heals as quickly as Wolverine from X-men.

Hanley recently had his cast taken off, and had set a goal of being back in the Dodger lineup by his bobblehead night, which is this Tuesday night against Colorado. He very well may be back by tomorrow. The Dodgers would have to bump someone from the roster in order to make room for Hanley. That could mean placing Mark Ellis on the 15-day Disabled List because of his strained quad. Or it could possibly mean someone is getting sent down or designated for assignment. The players that could be on the bubble are Luis Cruz, and Justin Sellers.

Whether the Dodgers activate Hanley tomorrow or not, Today’s game at Rancho will likely be his final rehab game, at least with the Quakes, who are off on Monday. Hanley was seen wearing a thin glove on his hand to protect his thumb during the game. Hanley was removed in the top of the seventh inning. The Quakes beat Lake Elsinore by a score of 7-5. Welcome back Hanley!