DODGERS
Ramirez injures thumb
SURPRISE, Ariz. - Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez could be sidelined for more than two months or maybe just two weeks because of an injured left thumb.
Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said doctors have described both recovery scenarios for Ramirez. The All-Star was set to have an MRI when he returned to the Dodgers’ camp Wednesday.
Ramirez was hurt diving for a ball at third base Tuesday night in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic. He stayed in the game and helped the Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico 3-0 for the title.
Luis Cruz, who was projected to play third base, started at shortstop Wednesday against Kansas City. Mattingly said Cruz would the first choice at shortstop if Ramirez is out for a while.
ROYALS/DODGERS Moustakas homers again
Mike Moustakas went 3 for 3 and homered for the second consecutive day as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2 in Surprise, Ariz.
Moustakas homered in the fifth inning off reliever Matt Guerrier. Lorenzo Cain, and Johnny Giavotella added home runs for Kansas City.
Royals right-hander Wade Davis, who skipped a start with shoulder inflammation, allowed one run in four-plus innings. He gave up 2 hits but walked 4 and threw just 36 strikes in 64 pitches.
Davis was lifted after a single and two walks in the fifth. Reliever Luis Coleman induced Skip Schumaker to ground into a double play and struck out Mark Ellis.
Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig, a Cuban defector who went 4 for 4 Tuesday, went 2 for 2 with a sacrifice fly to raise his batting average to a Cactus League-leading .521.
DIAMONDBACKS/PIRATES McDonald traded
PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks traded shortstop John McDonald to Pittsburgh on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash, giving the Pirates some much-needed infield depth.
The trade came two days after Pirates backup shortstop Chase d’Arnaud, injured in a rundown drill earlier, had surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb. He is expected to be sidelined six to eight weeks.
McDonald, 38, hit .249 with 6 home runs and 22 RBI in 70 games for Arizona last season and gives the Pirates an experienced reserve for regular shortstop Clint Barmes.
McDonald, who can also play second base and third base, made only one error in 210 chances last season.
“He’s a very accomplished defensive player and a veteran presence,” Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington said. “He brings depth and stability at a position where all of a sudden we didn’t have much depth or stability.”
McDonald found himself the odd man out at a crowded position. Cliff Pennington and Willie Bloomquist are expected to share the spot when the season begins, with top prospect Didi Gregorius waiting at Class AAA Reno.
McDonald has spent parts of 14 seasons in the majors with Cleveland, Detroit, Toronto and Arizona. He went to Arizona along with Aaron Hill in a trade that sent Kelly Johnson to Toronto in August 2011.
ANGELS Hanson pulled vs. Indians
TEMPE, Ariz. - Los Angeles Angels starter Tommy Hanson was pulled because of tightness in his right triceps as he warmed up for the fourth inning in Wednesday’s 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Indians.
Hanson said he thought he was taken out for precautionary reasons. The right-hander said he felt the best he has all spring.
Hanson, acquired in an offseason deal with Atlanta, allowed 3 hits and 2 runs with 4 strikeouts in his fourth spring start.
Cleveland starter Trevor Bauer allowed 5 hits and 4 runs in 3 innings in the roughest outing of 6.
Michael Brantley had three hits for Cleveland.
Wednesday’s games Washington 7, Miami 5 Baltimore 7, Toronto 5 NY Yankees 4, Boston 0 Atlanta 18, Pittsburgh 9 Arizona 4, Chicago White Sox 3 Kansas City 7, LA Dodgers 2 LA Angels 6, Cleveland 5 San Francisco (ss) 0, Milwaukee 0, tie, 10 innings San Francisco (ss) 6, San Diego 4 NY Mets 7, Houston 5 Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota ccd., rain
Sports, Pages 21 on 03/21/2013