Hanley working on deal to extend stay with Dodgers

LOS ANGELES -- Infielder Hanley Ramirez said he's working on a contract extension with the Dodgers.

Ramirez wouldn't discuss years and salary, but while commemorating Team Dominican Republic's championship in the World Baseball Classic at an event Thursday in Santo Domingo, he told ESPN Deportes that a deal could come this winter.

The Dodgers had no comment on the report.

Ramirez also said he's still not healed from the hairline rib fracture when he was hit by a pitch in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.

Ramirez, 29, is entering the final year of a six-year, $70 million deal he signed with the Marlins that pays $16 million in 2014.

Ramirez has a key dual role for the Dodgers, not only as a clutch middle-of-the-order run producer, but because he can play either shortstop or third base. Ramirez has told the club he would be willing to move back to third base.

Ramirez was the Marlins' shortstop until they acquired Jose Reyes for the 2012 season and shifted Ramirez to third base. He was acquired by the Dodgers midway through 2012 to play shortstop and improved his defense there in 2013. In the ESPN Deportes report, Ramirez said he wants to finish his career with the Dodgers because they revived his career after things went sour in Florida.

Ramirez played only 86 games during the regular season for the Dodgers in 2013. He tore a right thumb ligament in the World Baseball Classic and missed most of April. He went back on the disabled list with a strained hamstring and also missed considerable time with a chronic pinched nerve in his lower back.

Despite that, Ramirez hit .345 with 20 homers and 57 RBIs and finished eighth in MVP voting.