MLB teams
Doug Padilla, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Hanley Ramirez undergoes MRI

MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers

MILWAUKEE -- As the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to wait for an official diagnosis on Hanley Ramirez's injured right side, manager Don Mattingly has started to fear the worst.

"Obviously it didn't sound good," Mattingly said. "When you're getting an MRI, it's usually not a good thing."

The MRI exam was scheduled for Saturday evening, about two hours before game time and Mattingly figured he might not know any details until after the game. Afterward, though, he kept things in doubt saying an update was still to come.

Miguel Rojas started at shortstop Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, and could be a fixture there for a while if the injury is as serious as Mattingly assumes. The Dodgers have only announced a side injury, but Mattingly used the word "oblique" Saturday.

"They're pretty serious as far as I'm concerned," he said. "They're not like really anything. If that's the area ..."

Even the standard oblique injury can cause downtime longer than 15 days. The issue is that even when the side feels better, more rest is needed to avoid reinjuring the area.

"The MRI will give us a good indication of severity and if there is swelling or bleeding or any of that stuff," Mattingly said.

One clue to the Dodgers thinking came at Triple-A Albuquerque's game at Las Vegas on Saturday night. Newly-acquired infielder Darwin Barney was removed from the game after two at-bats and could be on his way to Milwaukee to provide infield depth.

Barney was playing third base Saturday, and has played some shortstop at Albuquerque, but had primarily played at second base with the Chicago Cubs since he arrived in the major leagues in 2010. He was a shortstop during his college days at Oregon State.

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