Hanley returns to Dodgers, who place Capuano on DL

LOS ANGELES -- Hanley Ramirez is as convinced as he can be that, after a three-game rehab assignment, he's healthy enough for another return to the Dodgers lineup.

Ramirez was activated to start at shortstop and bat cleanup Tuesday night, having recovered from a left hamstring strain he suffered four games after returning from right thumb surgery. He missed 28 games with the hamstring and 24 with the thumb. To make room, the Dodgers placed pitcher Chris Capuano on the disabled list with a strained lat muscle.

Ramirez said he ran at "120 percent" over the weekend and "nothing, I didn't feel anything. Maybe up here it's different. I just got to be smart."

That was the theme of Ramirez's second return, voiced as well by manager Don Mattingly.

"I talked to him about not trying to go wild," Mattingly said. "We have to try to make sure he plays under control. It's hard."

Ramirez agrees. It's hard to play under control, but he needs to try.

"I think when I'm out there, I'm always 110 percent," he said. "Going first to third, or going from second I want to score. Let's see how it goes."

Ramirez said his thumb has continued to heal and Monday night was the first time he played without need of a plastic splint or excess tape.