WASHINGTON — Dodgers manager Joe Torre says he sent Manny Ramirez home to Los Angeles to get treatment on his strained right calf, avoiding the "circus" when the team heads to New York to face the Mets.

Torre says it didn't make sense to keep the outfielder around for the rest of the Dodgers' road trip, especially New York "where it would be a little bit of a circus."

He spoke with reporters Saturday before the Dodgers' game at the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers will take the train to New York to open a three-game series Monday.

Ramirez went on the 15-day disabled list on Friday. He's hitting .415 with two homers and 12 RBIs this season. He's tied with Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt for 14th on the career list with 548 homers.