Wilkin Ramirez injures left shoulder

03/07/2008 5:10 PM ET
Ramirez injures left shoulder
Outfield prospect had been enjoying impressive spring
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The list of hobbled Detroit Tigers now includes a significant injury. Outfield prospect Wilkin Ramirez partially dislocated his left shoulder Friday afternoon diving for a line drive in a game against the Braves at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

Ramirez immediately grabbed his shoulder after his diving attempt and stayed on the ground in obvious pain. He was holding his left arm in place as head athletic trainer Kevin Rand led him off the field.

The initial diagnosis was a subluxation, meaning the ball of the shoulder joint popped out and back in. He'll be re-evaluated later.

The injury doesn't affect the Tigers' roster picture. Ramirez was a non-roster invitee brought over for outfield depth, and he was expected to be sent to Minor League camp in the next couple of weeks. Ramirez is batting 7-for-16 with two home runs and a team-high eight RBIs, and he was showing the natural ability that made him one of Detroit's top prospects a couple years ago.

"It's too bad, because he's having a heckuva camp," manager Jim Leyland said after the game. "But he's made an impression. We'll be watching him."

A prized signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2003, Ramirez's path through the system has been slowed by injuries. He missed the entire 2004 season with surgery on his right shoulder, and he missed half of the '06 season with a left shin contusion.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.