The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
56°F
Current Conditions
Overcast clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Baseball notebook: Manny drops to seventh

Manny Ramirez, shown Saturday, played his final minor league rehab game Monday for Class A Inland Empire. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Manny Ramirez, shown Saturday, played his final minor league rehab game Monday for Class A Inland Empire. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Manny Ramirez dropped one spot to seventh place in All-Star voting among N.L. outfielders with four days remaining in balloting for starters.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star’s 50-game drug suspension is slated to end Friday. The top three outfielders are the Phillies’ Raul Ibanez (2,970,139), the Brewers’ Ryan Braun (2,654.061) and the Mets’ Carlos Beltran (2,085,028).

Others leading their positions were Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (3,602,765), Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (3,510,082), Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez (2,026,174), Mets third baseman David Wright (2,049,487) and Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (1,846,629).

Balloting runs through Thursday, and starters and reserves for both leagues will be announced Sunday.

Santana on mend

Ervin Santana could be back in the rotation for the Los Angeles Angels by the weekend.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said the right-hander had no problems during a 45-pitch rehab assignment Sunday night in the Arizona Summer League.

An All-Star last season, Santana is 1-3 with a 7.47 ERA in six starts this year. He missed the first six weeks of the season with a sprained ligament in his right elbow and has been out since June 12 due to an inflamed right triceps.

Clearing the bases

Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran was in Colorado on Monday to have a second opinion on his ailing right knee. Beltran, on the disabled list since June 22, was consulting with noted knee specialist Dr. Richard Steadman at his Vail clinic. Beltran has an aching bone bruise in his knee. … Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton has started his comeback from abdominal surgery. Hamilton went 1 for 4 with a walk while leading off as the designated hitter for Double-A Frisco on Monday. Hamilton will join Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday and play multiple games there, including in the outfield. … Cardinals infielder Khalil Greene was placed on the 15-day DL for the second time with social anxiety disorder. … The Cardinals purchased the contract of right-hander Clayton Mortensen, 24, from Triple-A Memphis. … Outfielder Sam Fuld has been recalled by the Cubs from Triple-A Iowa to replace infielder Aaron Miles, who went on the 15-day DL with a hyperextended right elbow.