BOSTON -- Manny Ramirez still might need surgery on his broken left index finger if tests later this week show that the fracture has spread, Boston's team doctor said Monday.

	Manny Ramirez Left Field Boston Red Sox Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SB AVG 33 9 35 27 0 .372

The AL batting leader has missed nine days with the injury, which was expected to keep him out of the Red Sox lineup for 4-to-6 weeks. He's expected back from his Florida home this week when X-rays and a CAT scan will be done.

"If his fracture has not changed since his last X-ray, we'll continue with non-surgical treatment," Dr. Bill Morgan said before the game against the Chicago White Sox. "If it's changed and it's unacceptable, he'll require surgery. So he's still not completely out of the woods."

If surgery is required, Morgan indicated Ramirez might miss at least four more weeks from the date of the operation. If this week's tests indicate surgery is not needed, the likelihood that future tests would show the need for surgery becomes less.

"Up until about four weeks" from the date of the injury, "if he was to whack it or something of that nature, it could still move out of position," Morgan said. "If it heals where it is, he'll do well. But if it looks like it's changed, it's not too late to address it."

Ramirez was hurt May 11 when he slid headfirst into home plate and hit his left hand on Seattle catcher Dan Wilson's shinguard.

Morgan also said pitcher Dustin Hermanson, sidelined since April 3 with a groin injury, suffered a setback Sunday when he felt pain while throwing.

Hermanson probably tore scar tissue and might be able to resume throwing in three or four days if the pain subsides, Morgan said.

"We're going to watch him the next couple of days, see if his symptoms start to relax a little bit," Morgan added. "He's a little sore today but not tremendously sore, so we're being cautious."

Hermanson began spring training as Boston's third starter after being signed as a free agent from St. Louis. He was hurt during his first start of the season. He struck out two in retiring Toronto in order in the first, then was replaced by Tim Wakefield.

The game was rained out after the second.