Hanley Ramirez is absent from the Red Sox' lineup again, still nursing a sore right shoulder that has bothered him since last Friday.
Actually, it has been a lot longer than that.
Ramirez admitted today he injured his shoulder on a throw from left field several weeks ago, but didn't alert the team until a series in Detroit earlier this month after fouling a ball off his foot. He's expected to see a doctor later today to better determine the severity of the issue.
Regardless, one thing is clear: The injury has compromised Ramirez' production at the plate, which has ebbed since April and lags well behind his career norms.