Now it's back to the big leagues - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Now it’s back to the big leagues

Share via

Circled by security guards wearing lemon-lime jackets who kept a mob of fans away from him, Manny Ramirez made his way out of Arrowhead Credit Union Park, probably for the last time.

Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti, who watched Ramirez play for the Inland Empire 66ers on Monday, confirmed that the All-Star outfielder’s weeklong minor league assignment ended when he exited the Class-A affiliate’s San Bernardino ballpark.

Ramirez had three at-bats in five innings as the 66ers’ designated hitter and was one for three with an infield single and two strikeouts.

Advertisement

He also struck out twice on Sunday.

So is Ramirez ready to make a return to the big leagues?

Ramirez didn’t make himself available to answer that question -- or any other.

But Colletti warned to not expect immediate results from him.

Of the suspension Ramirez received for violating baseball’s drug policy, Colletti said, “Fifty games? That’s a long time.â€

Ramirez reached base in the first inning, hitting a ball sharply to the third base side of Rancho Cucamonga shortstop Andrew Romine, who couldn’t make the throw to first. He advanced to second base on a single by Pedro Baez.

But Rancho Cucamonga starter Michael Kenney struck out Ramirez in his next two at-bats, both times on four pitches. Ramirez struck out looking in the second inning and swinging in the fifth.

Advertisement

--

Minor league assignment

Three for 10 with a home run, two runs and two walks in five games.

--

Next

Will play for the Dodgers in San Diego on Friday.

--

Quote of the day

“No thank you. Go to YouTube,†Ramirez said, again declining to speak with reporters. Ramirez hasn’t talked to reporters since news broke that the doctor who prescribed him a banned substance was under federal investigation.

--

Etc.

Ramirez played in front of his fifth standing-room-only crowd in five minor league games, this one counted at 6,877. . . In the latest update of All-Star balloting for the National League, Ramirez dropped from sixth to seventh among outfielders . . . Eric Stults made the second start of a minor league rehabilitation assignment and held Rancho Cucamonga to a run and two hits in 4 1/3 innings.

-- Dylan Hernandez

Advertisement