Red Sox OF Ramirez back in lineup

Jul 26, 2008 - 7:45 PM By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez will return to the lineup Saturday after missing two games due to what he called soreness in his right knee.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona made the announcement before Saturday's game with the New York Yankees at Fenway Park.

"We had some misunderstandings this week, there's no way around that," said Francona, who announced Friday night that an MRI on both of Ramirez's knees showed no problems.

The MRI also indicated there was no medical reason why Ramirez could not return to action immediately.

Francona said he knew that Ramirez would return on Saturday when he left the park Friday night, adding that communication problems played a role in the misunderstanding between the star left fielder and the club.

Francona declined to expand on reports that Ramirez was facing disciplinary action if he didn't return on Saturday.

"We handle all disciplinary action in house," Francona said. "Everything we do or this ballclub does, we do for the right reasons.

"It is (over) for me. We've had some bumps in the road (with Ramirez) ever since I've been here and in two years, it ended with World Series rings. That's our goal."

Ramirez, who walked into the clubhouse with his young son Saturday morning, proclaimed himself ready to play, less than 12 hours after informing Francona that he was prepared to return against the Yankees.

"Don't even worry, guys, I'm not talking, I'm playing," Ramirez said. "That's it. You see my name in the lineup?"

Ramirez will play left field, hit in his customary fourth spot in the batting order and will bat behind David Ortiz for the first time since May 31 in Baltimore, when Ortiz injured his left wrist.