DENVER -- Hanley Ramirez, who has been dealing with a sore throwing elbow, was able to pinch hit Tuesday night, but Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he was hoping to stay away from using Ramirez entirely Wednesday afternoon.

Still, Mattingly said Ramirez’s elbow was feeling better and he hopes to have him back in the lineup Thursday in Chicago, where the Dodgers open a four-game series with the Cubs.

Ramirez has missed 32 games this season with a variety of injuries a year after being limited to 86 games with thumb, hamstring and shoulder ailments. Mattingly said he thinks the frequency of injuries to Ramirez has affected his production when he has been healthy. A year ago, Ramirez led the National League in OPS when healthy, but in 2014 his numbers are well off his career norms. He is batting .277 with 13 home runs and an .805 OPS.

“I think it’s hardest on him,” Mattingly said. “When you get into that grind mode of at-bats, at-bats, at-bats, is when you start to feel in sync. When you’re not getting them consistently, it’s just hard to get a rhythm for an everyday player.”

The Dodgers went with their best defensive infield with Carlos Frias pitching. Darwin Barney got just his second start at second base and Miguel Rojas replaced Ramirez at shortstop.