X-rays negative after pitch hurts Hanley's hand

SAN FRANCISCO -- Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez said he hopes to play Thursday after escaping serious injury when he was hit on the back of the left hand by a Ryan Vogelsong pitch in the seventh inning of Wednesday night's 2-1 loss to the Giants.

X-rays were negative on Ramirez, and after Wednesday's game, manager Don Mattingly said, "We'll see where he is tomorrow or the next day. I'm sure it will be a little sore. He can play once he's able to squeeze a bat."

Ramirez was leading off the inning in a 1-1 game when he was struck by a 90 mph fastball on a 3-2 pitch. He dropped his bat, angrily threw off his helmet and appeared to be in serious pain as athletic trainer Stan Conte took off Ramirez's batting glove.

Ramirez indicated he wanted to stay in the game, but was convinced to retreat to the clubhouse for the X-rays. He was replaced by pinch-runner Justin Turner. After the game, Ramirez's hand was swollen and, he said, in pain.

"X-rays were negative and if I'm good tomorrow, I'll be in there," said Ramirez. "Now I'll have to see how I feel tomorrow morning. I'll get here early for treatment and if I can go, I'll do everything I can to be in there."

Ramirez has had a series of injuries as a Dodger, including fractured ribs when hit by a Joe Kelly fastball in Game 1 of last year's National League Championship Series in St. Louis.

Last year, Ramirez also missed playing time with a torn thumb ligament, strained hamstring (both occurring at AT&T Park) and lower back problems. This year he played in all 15 games.

"Everyone knows what I went through last year," he said. "You get hit on the hand, it's easy to get any damage, so I was wondering. Yeah, he got me good. I was just praying right away it wasn't broken. Thank God it's good."

Ramirez said he had already iced his hand twice in the clubhouse and would ice it twice at the hotel.