Hanley day to day with shoulder strain

MIAMI -- Hanley Ramirez homered in each of his first two at-bats on Wednesday night, but the Marlins' All-Star shortstop was removed in the top of the fifth inning with a strained left shoulder.

In the fourth inning, Ramirez struck out swinging through a 2-2 changeup from Jack Cassel. On the swing, Ramirez grimaced as the bat flew out of his left arm.

Ramirez was replaced in the top of the fifth inning in a game the Marlins won, 14-2, over the Astros at Dolphin Stadium.

While Ramirez said he felt some pain on the swing, he first aggravated the shoulder while diving for Miguel Tejada's single up the middle in the third inning.

Ramirez is listed as day to day, but he is hopeful to play on Thursday. The Marlins are 5 1/2 games behind the Phillies and five behind the Mets in the NL East, with 11 games remaining.

"I hurt it a little bit when I was swinging," Ramirez said afterward. "I iced it a couple of times now, and it's feeling better."

Last October, the 24-year-old shortstop underwent surgery on his left shoulder. This is the first time all season that Ramirez said he felt discomfort in the shoulder.

"It happens," he said. "Hopefully, I won't miss one game. I will come in tomorrow and see how I feel."

If Ramirez is out for any time, it would be a crushing blow for the Marlins, who were leading the Astros, 6-2, when he exited the game at Dolphin Stadium.

On Wednesday, Ramirez belted solo home runs off Bradon Backe in the first and second innings, giving him 32 on the season. Already this year, Ramirez has joined the 30-30 club, with his 32 homers and 33 stolen bases.

Ramirez is batting .296 on the season, and he has 119 runs scored.

Alfredo Amezaga switched from center field to shortstop to replace Ramirez, and Cameron Maybin entered in center field.

Amezaga is strong defensively, and on Wednesday, the switch-hitting outfielder/infielder had four RBIs. But losing Ramirez's bat for any extended period -- or if the 24-year-old is laboring for a while -- would be a tough blow to the Marlins down the stretch.

"We'll see," manager Fredi Gonzalez said when asked if Ramirez could play on Thursday. "If he can't go, then we'll run Amezaga out there and see where we're at. Everybody is a little banged up this time of year. Right now, it's nothing serious. If we have to give him a day, we'll give him a day."

On Oct. 3, 2007, Ramirez underwent arthroscopic surgery, performed by Dr. Erol Yoldas, to repair a torn labrum.