NL Rookie of the Year Hanley Ramirez wants to return to his Dominican winter league team despite the Florida Marlins’ request that he rest his injured shoulder.
Ramirez strained his left shoulder playing for the Licey Tigers in the Dominican league’s playoffs last week. He was examined Friday by Marlins physician Dr. Dan Kanell and placed on a shoulder-strengthening program.
“I am going to call (the Marlins) to get permission to play,” Ramirez said Tuesday night. “I think that my playing here in the Dominican Republic helped me win Rookie of the Year, so that’s why I want to try to come back.”
Ramirez hit .292 for the Marlins last season with 17 homers, 59 RBI, 119 runs and 51 stolen bases.
