Ramirez expects to return to lineup Monday

MILWAUKEE -- Aramis Ramirez missed a second straight start Sunday with a bruised left wrist, but expects to return to action on Monday night against the Cubs. Ramirez was hurt Friday when he was struck by a Mat Latos fastball in the first inning.

"I talked to Ronnie [Roenicke] and we're going to give it one more day," Ramirez said. "You want to be out there for your teammates and everybody. We're not in the race or anything, but you want to finish strong, feeling good about yourself."

Bothered most of the season by a left knee injury, Ramirez is batting .267 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in 81 games. Barring a late-September surge, it will be his poorest season statistically since 2000, when he played only 73 games for the Pirates as a 22-year-old.

Ramirez works out in the offseason with the Yankees' Robinson Cano and Red Sox's David Ortiz, and plans to work on strengthening his lower half. He will earn $16 million next season in the final season of his three-year contract, and has a mutual option for 2015 that includes a $4 million buyout.

"I'm looking forward next year to finally staying healthy," Ramirez said.