Hanley Ramirez Likely to Disregard Shoulder Risk

Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez -- having undergone shoulder surgery last fall -- is reported to be on course for doctors to release him for full baseball activities well before the conclusion of spring training, though he may be held back for awhile as a precaution as he faces a relapse potential of perhaps 10 percent, medical authorities told www.MLBnewsonline.com.

The problem is that Ramirez -- not only because of his character and makeup but because of his love of the game -- cannot be expected to play with anything less than full enthusiasm, thus will soon place his surgically repaired torn labrum at greater exposure than doctors might ideally desire.

Still, the likelyhood of Ramirez sustaining a serious relapse is probably small based on recoveries and surgical failures experienced by other patients, about 90 percent of whom have returned to normal activity in about six months or less following the procedure, according to medical authorities.

Ramirez's surgery can be likened to that undergone by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who dislocated his shoulder in 2005 but recently threw for more than 4,000 yards with 28 touchdowns with no lingering difficulties over the course of a 16-game season.

The Marlins have every reason to expect that Ramirez will have a normal and highly productive 2008, and continue to be regarded as one of the top three shortstops in baseball.

Hanley Ramirez Optimistic About Return to Marlins

Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez's prediction that he would return to action within three days of separating his shoulder would seem almost laughable, if it were not for the seriousness of the injury.

Normal players would measure time lost due to a shoulder subluxation in weeks and months, not days; just ask Richie Sexson of the Mariners or Derek Jeter of the Yankees.

Ramirez is a special case, however, falling within a very small category of individuals with trick shoulders that have a history of popping in and out of place. Whereas a normal person might be laid up for three or four months or more because of such an injury, those like Ramirez can put the pieces back together and are good to go -- with relatively little discomfort.

The problem is, these individuals might be burger flippers, bus drivers, candlestick makers or what-have-you, not professional athletes. Rough-and-tumble lifestyles require extra caution.

If Ramirez makes good on his prediction to return to action immediately, he is putting his career at risk by exposing himself to a potential recurrence. The more often his shoulder is thrown out, the greater jeopardy of his being debilitated by a degenerative shoulder capsule.

The best course of action for Ramirez is either to opt for surgery to tighten the shoulder now, or immobilize it for three weeks, then enter into a rehabilitative process that would keep him out for most or all of the remainder of the season.

In either case, the shoulder will remain problemsome for years to come.

Doctors have warned Ramirez of the advisability of going on the disabled list, though Ramirez's bravado suggests he will refuse; after all, it's his body, his call.

Though Ramirez plans to return to action now, the weekend would be plenty soon enough. But it's well within the realm of possibility that Ramirez yet will do the sensible thing if he values his future. In such a case Ramirez would be out at least until September.

Marlins Hanley Ramirez Likely Out for Season

Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez dislocated his shoulder while swinging at a pitch in Sunday's game against the Reds in Miami, and likely will miss virtually all or most of the remainder of the season, according to knowledgeable sources familiar with his injury. Ramirez immediately came out of the game and will require a minimum three weeks shoulder immobilization, plus a month's rehabilitation before being able to resume baseball activities. That will put him well into September at the earliest before he can return to play, when he likely will be held out of action as a precaution, unless the Marlins win a playoff berth, sources said.