In last night's game, as most of you know, Hanley Ramirez took a blow to his thumb.
...shortstop Hanley Ramirez left the game after the fourth inning when a ground ball glanced off the heel of his left hand and left a sizable bruise and swelling. He is listed as day-to-day. X-rays were taken but didn't show any breaks, and manager Fredi Gonzalez said it wouldn't surprise him if Ramirez were able to play Saturday. ''Hopefully, I'll feel better [Saturday],'' Ramirez said. ``But I can't squeeze my thumb right now.''
If Hanley can't squeeze his hand, there is no way that he can bat or field his position properly without feeling pain. Hopefully he will feel better today. If he doesn't,, Amezaga can field shortstop neatly. Sure, he isn't going to replicate Hanley's prowess at the plate. But then again, given the slump Hanley is in, there may not be drop off in run production.
In other injury news :
Left-hander Scott Olsen reported no pain or discomfort after throwing his bullpen session in Friday. Olsen took a pitch off his left thumb when he squared to bunt in Wednesday's game against the Mets. Olsen's biggest relief is he is now able to send text messages, something he could not do Thursday when the thumb was sore and discolored. "That was the biggest problem," he said. "I send about 150 a day. I never talk on the phone." Olsen's next scheduled start is Monday in Atlanta.
Ollie sends 150 text messages a day?!
Now if we can get his pitching arm back up to speed, we may have something.
And finally, as Mbaamin reported in the comments last night, Chris Volstad is on the DL .
Marlins' top pitching prospect Chris Volstad was placed on the Double-A Carolina seven-day disabled list with a right triceps strain.
The transaction is retroactive to Monday and considered precautionary. Volstad is not expected to miss more than one start.