He's baaaack!

Manny Ramirez returns to the Dodgers' lineup Friday against the Padres after
serving a 50-game suspension for violating MLB's Drug Policy.

He'll be a welcome sight, as the Dodgers' offense has struggled recently. In
their just-concluded series against the Rockies, the Dodgers won two games but
scored just five runs over the three-game set. In their past five games, Los
Angeles has scored just eight runs.

The Dodgers hope that anemic run production will improve when Ramirez slides
into the No. 3 spot in the order.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre expects it will take some time before Ramirez, who has
played in four Minor League games in the past 10 days, is back in game shape.

"It's going to be like Spring Training," Torre said. "You can go to the gym and
do what you need to do, but when you play, you use muscles you're not used to.
So I think he'll just have to get into the best shape by playing."

But Torre is hopeful that Ramirez will be able to inject some life into the
Dodgers' offense.

"Hopefully, Manny will give us a more consistent offense," Torre said. "We've
been lucky to win a lot of close games. We've made the most out of the runs
we've scored. But I think the presence he brings to the lineup is a security
blanket for the rest of the guys."

With a sellout crowd on hand, the Dodgers will be facing a very hot pitcher. The
Padres' Chad Gaudin was brilliant Sunday against the Rangers, allowing one hit
over eight shutout innings.

Hiroki Kuroda, who struggled in his last start against the Mariners, will toe
the rubber for the Dodgers. Kuroda is 3-1 with a 4.78 ERA in five career starts
against the Padres.

Source: David Ely / MLB.com