3/18 Aramis Ramirez update

Aramis Ramirez was scratched from Thursday’s lineup because of soreness in his right tricep. Ramirez was originally to start for the first time since last Saturday but stayed back in Mesa to hit at the Cubs’ facility.

Lou Piniella said if Ramirez can’t play in the next day or so, he could get at-bats at the team’s Minor League camp.

“I’m not concerned about it, he doesn’t seem to be,” Piniella said. “Mark O’Neal, our [athletic] trainer, doesn’t seem to be. It’s lasting a little longer than we anticipated. It’s in the muscle. How long can that linger?”

The Cubs would start Ramirez at designated hitter but want to use those opportunities for Xavier Nady, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

“There’s plenty of time,” Piniella said about Ramirez.

– Carrie Muskat