Hanley Ramirez will play despite fractured rib

Jorge L. Ortiz | USA TODAY Sports

LOS ANGELES – That persistent pain Hanley Ramirez was feeling was not just from a bruise.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said a CT scan on the star shortstop revealed a hairline fracture in his eighth rib, but Ramirez says he's ready to play in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series.

Ramirez took batting practice and ground balls before Monday's game and pronounced himself good to go.

"I'm really happy I'm going to be able to play tonight," said Ramirez, who had padding on his left rib cage. "I'm going to give it my best effort.

"It bothers me a little (hitting) but it bothers me more running and on defense. But we're going to continue treating it now and I'll be ready to go.''

Both Ramirez and center fielder Andre Ethier, who has been nursing a sore lower left leg, were in the lineup sheet given to the news media, batting third and fifth, respectively. However, they could still be scratched, as Ramirez was half an hour before Game 2.

Ramirez, who was hit by a Joe Kelly fastball in his first at-bat of Friday's Game 1 and had to sit out Saturday, had maintained he'd do everything possible to play Monday. This is the first postseason action of his eight-year career.

Despite taking a painkiller, Ramirez acknowledged he's still in discomfort. But given the Dodgers' dire situation -- they trail the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 in the series -- he felt the need to return to action right away.

"(I want to play) for the fans and for the team,'' he said. "It's a game we need to win, and that's why I want to be in the lineup.''

The Dodgers also expected to have Ethier back in the lineup, facing Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright. Ethier didn't start Game 2 in St. Louis but made the last out as a pinch-hitter.

In comments to reporters, Ethier said he was ready to play, but was less certain than Ramirez that he would be starting.

"I want to go inside and discuss it and see what's best for the team going forward for today's game,'' Ethier said. "Make sure it's a situation where it doesn't hurt the team.''

Ramirez's injury was first diagnosed as bruised ribs, as X-rays taken in St. Louis did not detect a fracture. It wasn't until Sunday's CT scan that it was discovered.

Mattingly said the team's medical personnel told him, "Hanley's not in any danger of hurting himself any further. It's just a painful thing. It could be a week, it could be two weeks before this thing's gone. Certain things it's hard to play with.''

NIGHTENGALE: Dodgers' backs against the wall

Ramirez, who ranked second on the Dodgers in home runs and RBI despite playing only 86 games in the regular season, batted .500 with six extra-base hits in the Division Series.

He went 0-for-2 and walked three times in the Cardinals' 3-2, 13-inning victory in Game 1.

Nick Punto started at shortstop in Game 2 and made several fine defensive plays, but he's not the same offensive threat as Ramirez, who batted .345 with a .638 slugging percentage in the regular season.

The Dodgers, who are batting .184 in the series and have been shut out in the last 19 consecutive innings, have made it clear Ramirez's absence represents a big blow.

"Hanley's been our best player,'' staff ace Clayton Kershaw said. "Every time he's in the lineup he's probably the best guy on the field. You can't dwell on it, but it definitely doesn't help our chances.''

GALLERY: Cardinals vs. Dodgers