Manny Ramirez is getting closer to returning from a strained muscle in his left side, but the Red Sox outfielder appears to be a long shot to play in the three-game series with the Yankees that began Friday night.
“He’s not ready to play,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said before the opener of the series between the top two teams in the AL East. “Maybe by the beginning of the week is somewhat realistic, but, again, you just don’t know. He is making a lot of progress and doing a good job.”
Ramirez was out of the lineup for the 16th consecutive game Friday after getting injured on Aug. 28, in a 5-3 loss in New York in the opener of the Yankees’ three-game sweep.
Extra innings
Phillies reliever Antonio Alfonseca was suspended for four games, a day after he was ejected for hitting the Rockies’ Todd Helton with a pitch. Alfonseca appealed the suspension. … Orioles left fielder Jay Payton recorded an unassisted double play to end the fifth inning against the Blue Jays. With Vernon Wells at second and Reed Johnson at first, the Blue Jays tried to hit and run. Alex Rios lined out sharply to Payton, who jogged in to second to double off Wells. … Chipper Jones returned to the lineup after missing three consecutive starts because of a strained muscle in his right side in the Braves’ game against the Nationals. … More than two months after abruptly stepping down as manager of the Mariners, Mike Hargrove has decided to take over the Liberal BeeJays, a semi-pro summer team in southwest Kansas. … Mets Vice President Tony Bernazard, a former White Sox infielder, has emerged as a candidate for the Pirates’ general manager job. … Rockies outfielder Jeff Baker made his first start since suffering a mild concussion on Aug. 10 when Cubs starter Jason Marquis hit him in the helmet.
