MIAMI -- Hanley Ramirez, this year's top rookie in the National League, will miss the rest of the Dominican winter league season because of a left shoulder strain, but the Florida Marlins shortstop is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
Ramirez was examined Friday by Marlins physician Dr. Dan Kanell and put on a shoulder-strengthening program.
The 22-year-old led major league rookies in batting average (.292), hits (185), triples (11), stolen bases (51) and runs scored (119). He was also second in doubles (46), hit 17 home runs and scored 59 runs.
The shortstop was acquired by the Marlins from Boston in a trade that sent right-hander Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell to the Red Sox after the 2005 season.
Ramirez became the sixth Dominican to win the Rookie of the Year award. Shortstops Alfredo Griffin (1979) and Angel Berroa (2003) won in the American League, while outfielder Raul Mondesi (1994), shortstop Rafael Furcal (2000) and first baseman Albert Pujols (2001) won in the NL.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas was used in this report.