Aramis Ramirez is eligible to come off the disabled list today, but the Chicago Cubs are going to wait a couple of days before actually activating him. He won’t play in the Mariners series.
The Cubs’ third baseman, who is coming back from a left thumb contusion that’s had him on the disabled list since June 9, went 1-for-6 in two games with Class A Peoria and took batting practice with the team at Safeco Field before Tuesday’s game against the Mariners.
Manager Lou Piniella said the team will wait two days to activate Ramirez and put him back in the lineup Friday against the White Sox.
As for Ramirez, he said the problem — a persistent bone bruise across the base of his left thumb that is aggravated by swinging — will undoubtedly linger throughout the season.
“It’s not going to be 100 percent, I don’t think, for the rest of the year,” Ramirez said. “It’s good enough to play, though. It’s going to be there. It’s not going to go away in two weeks. But I guarantee there’s 24 guys in here that aren’t 100 percent, and they’re going out there and playing the games. So if they can do it, I can do it.”
Ramirez has already changed his hitting grip with the help of coach Rudy Jaramillo. He’ll have a few more days of hitting on the field and in the cage, getting more familiar with the grip, before testing it out in a big league game. cubs.com.
It’s hard to imagine Ramirez coming back with the same effectiveness – particularly power – with his hands shifted to an awkward grip. Still, if Ramirez manages to turn things on, he could propel the Cubs back into contention.
And if I had large breasts, I could be the next Jennifer Love Hewitt.