Glendale, AZ (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez will be undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, an injury that is expected to sideline the three-time All-Star around eight weeks.
Ramirez sustained the injury while diving for a ground ball as the third baseman in the Dominican Republic's 3-0 victory over Puerto Rico in Tuesday's World Baseball Classic championship game. An MRI taken the following day revealed the tear, with Ramirez slated for a procedure performed by orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Steven Shin Friday in Los Angeles.
The absence of Ramirez, a .298 career hitter who had 24 home runs, 92 RBI and 21 stolen bases between the Dodgers and Miami Marlins last year, until likely mid-May could leave a large void at the shortstop position during the early portion of the upcoming season. General manager Ned Colletti told reporters on Thursday that he is not presently planning on obtaining a replacement through a trade, however.
Dee Gordon, who began last season as the team's primary shortstop, is one of the possible candidates to take over in the interim. The Dodgers also have the option of moving third baseman Luis Cruz over to Ramirez's post and have a combination of Juan Uribe, Nick Punto and Jerry Hairston to handle third.
Ramirez was acquired by the Dodgers from the Marlins in a blockbuster trade last year on July 25 and batted .271 with 10 homers and 44 RBI in 64 games following the swap.
