Dodger SS Hanley Ramirez to have thumb surgery; out 8 weeks

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The Dodgers will be without their starting shortstop for nearly the first two months of the season. MRI results on Hanley Ramirez showed a tear in the ligament that stabilizes his right thumb, and the shortstop will have surgery on Friday in Los Angeles. He is expected to miss eight weeks.

Ramirez injured the thumb while diving for a ball in the third inning Tuesday night of the World Baseball Classic final in San Francisco, while playing third base. The injury at the time was described as a jammed right thumb. Ramirez actually stayed in the game for two more innings and got a single in his next at-bat.

After the surgery, which will be performed by Dr. Steve Shin, a hand specialist at the Kerlan Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles, Ramirez will have his right thumb immobilized for three weeks.

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