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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, June 19, 2009

MLB: Mannywood Is headed to New Mexico


By Dylan Hernandez
Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — Manny Ramirez is tentatively scheduled to return to the playing field Tuesday with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque, N.M., according to sources with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

Ramirez, who will be eligible to play again for the Dodgers on July 3, can play in as many as 10 minor league games at the end of his 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy.
According to preliminary plans Ramirez and the Dodgers made Thursday morning, he will be in Albuquerque for a four-game series against Nashville.
Ramirez will be off June 27 and report to Class-A Inland Empire the next day. He will play in as many as three games for Inland Empire from June 28-30.
He will work out with the Dodgers on July 1, travel with them July 2 and play in the first game of a three-game series in San Diego on July 3.
The sources said that the schedule is subject to change. The exact number of games that Ramirez will play in the minor leagues has not been determined, but the Dodgers are said to want him to get around 25 at-bats.
Manager Joe Torre didn’t reveal much when asked about Ramirez’s plans.
“Nothing has been defined yet,” Torre said.
Torre guessed that Ramirez would have to play in six or seven games to get ready for his return to the Dodgers.
The manager said he thinks Ramirez will start for the Dodgers as soon as he is eligible to do so.
Jonathan Broxton was unavailable again Thursday because of a sore toe on his right foot.
Torre said he expected Broxton back Friday.
Asked how Broxton hurt himself, Torre said, “Probably has something to do with that little body of his pushing off the mound and throwing 98.”