Bad back sidelines Marlins SS Ramirez

Times wires
Monday, June 6, 2011

MIAMI — The Marlins' All-Star shortstop joined their All-Star pitcher on the disabled list Monday.

Hanley Ramirez went on the 15-day DL for the first time in his career because of a strained back, with the move retroactive to May 30. Ace RHP Josh Johnson has been on the disabled list since May 21 with right shoulder inflammation.

"It's very frustrating, because those are the guys we built the team around," manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "There's a hole in the rotation and in the lineup."

Florida went into Monday night's game against the Brewers with a season-worst four-game losing streak. LHP Brad Hand was selected from Double-A Jacksonville to make his major-league debut tonight.

It's unknown how long Ramirez or Johnson will be out. Ramirez hasn't played since May 29, and though he said he felt better Monday, he's not expected to resume baseball activities for at least two or three days.

"I don't want to rush myself," Ramirez said. "But it's not fun watching the game from the bench."

Johnson is throwing long toss daily, and there's no timetable for anything more rigorous.

ZAMBRANO SORRY: Cubs RHP Carlos Zambrano apologized to closer Carlos Marmol for second-guessing how he pitched in Chicago's loss Sunday. Zambrano, who criticized Marmol's approach after a 3-2 loss at St. Louis, said he was wrong to criticize Marmol that way and made the remarks out of frustration.

DYKSTRA SAGA: Former Mets and Phillies star Lenny Dykstra was charged with grand theft auto and drug possession by prosecutors who claim he used phony information to lease a car from a Southern California dealership. Dykstra, 48, faces up to 12 years in state prison if convicted.

STADIUM BEATING: Lawyers for a man whom police say led the attack on a Giants fan outside Dodger Stadium hope to secure videotape footage they believe could help clear their client. Attorney Jose Romero, part of Giovanni Ramirez's defense team, said he would file a motion asking a judge to instruct detectives to collect surveillance footage from a service station and other businesses in an area west of Dodger Stadium.

A'S: LHP Brett Anderson headed back to California to have his sore pitching elbow examined by doctors. Anderson missed most of last season with elbow problems. … INF Scott Sizemore, acquired a week ago from the Tigers, was called up from Triple-A Sacramento, and 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff was optioned to Sacramento.

DODGERS: SS Dee Gordon, one of the team's top prospects, was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque. OF Jay Gibbons and INF Juan Castro were designated for assignment, OF Marcus Thames and RHP Blake Hawksworth were activated from the disabled list and SS Ivan DeJesus was optioned to Albuquerque.

PHILLIES: SS Jimmy Rollins was out with a bruised right knee and is expected to miss another game or two.

REDS: RHP Daryl Thompson was called up from Triple-A Louisville to freshen a bullpen that leads the NL in innings.

ROCKIES: CF Dexter Fowler went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left abdominal muscle. OF Charlie Blackmon was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

TIGERS: LHP David Purcey was reinstated from the paternity list.

TWINS: 1B Justin Morneau (left wrist) and CF Denard Span (neck), who had missed the past two games, returned to the lineup.

WHITE SOX: RHP Jake Peavy is day to day with a mild strain of his right groin.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/bad-back-sidelines-marlins-ss-ramirez/1173967

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