Harold Ramirez is currently on the rehab list at Pirate City since the start of camp. Ramirez has been working out in the mornings, but hasn’t played in any games yet. Pirates’ Director of Minor League Operations Larry Broadway said that Ramirez is currently out so that he can be better conditioned before he gets on the field. Last week we reported that Luis Heredia is behind in camp due to his conditioning.
Ramirez was slated to go to Bradenton this year, with the season starting in a little over two weeks. Broadway said that “time will tell” if he’s ready for the start of the season. Ramirez said it’s possible he could get back into games on Wednesday, but is unsure of that right now.
“I need to play first, right here in Spring Training,” Ramirez said on whether he could be ready for the start of the season.
When I asked what he was working on specifically, Ramirez said that he “needs to be athletic.” The outfielder did miss some time last year with a hamstring injury, then missed additional time with a stress reaction in his shin. He did play winter ball this off-season, but did not do well, hitting .200/.333/.229 in 70 at-bats. He started his season in Colombia late, then was hit by a pitch in his first place appearance and missed a couple of weeks, so he didn’t get in a full winter season.