LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers activated shortstop Hanley Ramirez from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly put Ramirez in the cleanup spot Tuesday against the San Diego Padres hoping to get an offensive boost, following the explosive debut of prospect Yasiel Puig Monday.
"Every time Hanley plays, he has a chance to be the best player on the field," Mattingly said.
Ramirez has been limited to four games this season because of thumb and hamstring injuries, going 5-for-11 with two doubles and a home run. He said he feels the best he had since shoulder surgery in 2011, so his return could provide a boost to a struggling offense. Dodgers shortstops have batted .182 and slugged .271 this season.
The Dodgers placed pitcher Chris Capuano on the 15-day disabled list with a strained latissimus muscle in his left shoulder. It was the Dodgers' 18th DL move this season, most in the majors.
Capuano likely will be replaced in the Dodgers' rotation by Stephen Fife, who pitched 5 1/3 strong innings in Monday night's 2-1 win against the Padres.
Ramirez tore a thumb ligament in the finals of the World Baseball Classic in March and strained his left hamstring on May 3 in San Francisco. He played three rehab games with Class A Rancho Cucamonga, going 2-for-9 with a double.
Ramirez was an All-Star from 2008 to 2010, but has batted .254 since the start of the 2011 season.
