Hanley Ramirez made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday night and showed off some of the skills that his former team, the Miami Marlins, once salivated over.
The Dodgers new infielder, acquired earlier in the day from the Marlins, was ready to do whatever it took to help his new team, currently 2 ½ games behind rival San Francisco Giants for the lead in the NL West. Ramirez went 2-for-4 including a triple in his very first at-bat with his new club in a 3-2 extra-innings loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Third or short, I just want to win,” Ramirez reportedly said, regarding where he would play on the diamond.
Manager Don Mattingly has had a revolving door at third all season long, with Jerry Hairston Jr. and Juan Uribe among others in the mix. Mattingly indicated that Ramirez, who was moved to third from his natural position at shortstop by the Marlins, worked best at his old position for his team, but admitted that he’s going to wait until Ramirez is comfortable with his new ballclub.
Mattingly cautioned not to expect a start at short for Ramirez any time in the immediate future, ”It’s really up to him,” the Dodgers skipper told reporters when pressed for details about where Ramirez, rookie of the year in 2006, would ultimately play on a regular basis.
“I feel comfortable,” Ramirez said, according to The Associated Press. “Great group of guys here; you just go out there and have fun. I’m happy to be here.”
In return for Ramirez, the Marlins acquired right-handed pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Scott McGough. Pitcher Randy Choate was also sent to Los Angeles.
Ramirez is batting .249 with 14 home runs and 49 RBI on the season.
