Orange County Register

Outfielder Manny Ramirez agreed to go on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Dodgers at the conclusion of his 50-game suspension.

Ramirez will report to Albuquerque, the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, on Tuesday.

Ramirez was suspended for violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program on May 7. He will be eligible to rejoin the Dodgers on July 3.

“I think it’s just a matter of competing,” Torre said, adding that Ramirez would probably be used as a designated hitter while playing for the Isotopes. “Do I think he can go in and start playing ball without embarrassing himself? Yeah, I think so. I think it’s a matter of going out and playing a game. I think he just needs a little experience doing it.”

Ramirez was hit by a pitch while working out at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. A minor-league pitcher was brought in to pitch to Ramirez and ended up hitting the slugging outfielder on the hand.

“He grazed his hand with a breaking ball,” Torre said. “It doesn’t seem to be an issue.”

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