Hanley likely to avoid DL, resumes baseball activities

ST. LOUIS -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday that Hanley Ramirez is likely to avoid a stint on the disabled list as he recovers from the jammed right shoulder he suffered Saturday.

Ramirez was expected to resume some baseball activity -- likely hitting off a tee -- Wednesday and there are still no plans to perform an MRI on his shoulder, which would keep him out a few more days because the dye injected to enhance the image would increase swelling in his shoulder. Mattingly is hopeful Ramirez will be available at least in a pinch-hitting capacity when the team returns to Los Angeles to face the Rays this weekend.

"Hanley just keeps getting better and we're feeling a lot more confident that it's not going to be a DL [situation]," Mattingly said. "We're just hoping sooner than later."

While he didn't rule Ramirez out for Wednesday night's game in St. Louis, he said it's unlikely the 29-year-old shortstop would be available.

"I'd say he'd be doubtful on the NFL scale today," Mattingly said. "We're going to put him as doubtful right now, but you never know what will happen."