Hanley Ramirez to have thumb surgery, expected to be out eight weeks

Dodgers infielder Hanley Ramirez injured his thumb during the World Baseball Classic championship game and will require surgery, reports Ken Rosenthal.

The injury occurred when Ramirez dove for a ball near the third base bag in Tuesday’s game against Puerto Rico. Ramirez tore a ligament in his thumb and is expected to be out for eight weeks. Dee Gordon and Luis Cruz are potential candidates to play shortstop for the Dodgers while Ramirez is out. The Dodgers had originally been opposed to Ramirez playing third in the WBC.

Ramirez, 29, hit .257/.322/.437 last season, splitting his time between the Marlins and Dodgers. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2006.

#Dodgers: Torn ligament in Ramirez's right thumb. Surgery tomorrow in LA. Thumb immobilized for three weeks. Expected back in about 8 weeks.—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 21, 2013