Back with LA, Hanley in cast for three weeks

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Injured Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez returned to Camelback Ranch on Saturday, one day after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right thumb ligament. He was given permission to spend a few days at his Miami home before rejoining the club and rehabbing in earnest.

Manager Don Mattingly said that the Dodgers' medical department believes Ramirez will be able to "do some things" baseball-wise even with his thumb in its current cast.

Ramirez is expected to wear the cast for three weeks before he can start range of motion and baseball activities. Mattingly indicated that Ramirez would still be able to field ground balls and receive throws while working on his footwork at shortstop.

As for replacements, Saturday night's lineup had Luis Cruz at shortstop and Juan Uribe at third base. Mattingly would not commit to this being his Opening Day lineup against the Giants and starter Matt Cain.

But if Cruz is indeed Mattingly's starting shortstop, the matchups for third base against Cain are: Uribe is 0-for-2 with two strikeouts, Nick Punto has not faced the righty and Jerry Hairston is 4-for-14.