ST. LOUIS — One locker stall at a time, Hanley Ramirez worked his way around the Florida clubhouse to offer his apologies.
A few hours later, the Marlins star was back in a more familiar, comfortable place: batting third and playing shortstop. The team was ready to put the unsightly outburst that led to a benching behind them.
“He told us he was sorry and he was wrong . . . and he wouldn’t let it happen again,” teammate Wes Helms said Wednesday.
Two days after pulling Ramirez for not hustling, manager Fredi Gonzalez handled his clear-the-air chat with the two-time all-star like a father with a son who has been grounded. Then Gonzalez put out the lineup card that included the reigning NL batting champion, and tossed away an alternate card he had prepared just in case.
“I think we’re all parents here,” Gonzalez said. “Sometimes our children will say something that hurts, but it’s no big deal. We still love them.”
Said Ramirez, who went 3-for-5 with an RBI in a 5-1 victory over the Cardinals: “I regret that all this has gotten so ugly. It wasn’t my intention to create a distraction. I feel bad that things got to this point; the team and the fans don’t deserve it.”
Posada has broken bone in foot
NEW YORK — Jorge Posada has a broken bone in his right foot that will sideline the Yankees catcher three to four weeks.
Posada, however, insists it won’t take that long for him to return to the lineup.
Beckett sidelined with strained back
BOSTON — The Red Sox placed right-hander Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back.
Tim Wakefield is set to replace Beckett, who is 1-1 with a 7.29 ERA, as the starter Sunday at Philadelphia. Right-handed reliever Joe Nelson was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Sizemore goes on DL
CLEVELAND — Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore joined shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera on the DL.
Sizemore has a deep bone bruise in his left knee and will be sidelined at least 15 days, while Cabrera had surgery to repair a displaced fracture of the ulna bone in his left arm. Cabrera is expected to return in eight to 10 weeks.
Outfielder-first baseman Shelley Duncan was recalled from Triple-A Columbus.
Footnotes.
Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman will sit out a two-game series in Pittsburgh so he can work with pitching coach Rick Peterson.
• Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez was scratched from the starting lineup because of an injury to his left foot.
• Braves outfielder Matt Diaz is expected to be out at least a month after having surgery on his infected right thumb.
• Rays reliever J.P. Howell had season- ending surgery on his left shoulder.
• The Mariners transferred left-hander Erik Bedard from the 15- to 60-day DL.
• Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordoñez was scratched from the lineup because of a sore right heel.
The Associated Press
