MIAMI (Reuters) - Three-times All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez landed on the Florida Marlins' disabled list for the first time in his career because of a lower back injury, the National League team said on Monday.
Tests showed inflammation but no structural damage, the club said.
The 27-year-old Ramirez, one of baseball's best hitting shortstops, has slumped over the first two months of the season with a batting average of .210 with four home runs and 17 runs batted in.
The Dominican hit .300 last year and .342 in 2009, and has topped 20 home runs in each of the last four seasons with a high of 33 in 2008.
Florida (31-26), in second place three games behind the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies, called up left-handed pitcher Brad Hand to take Ramirez's place on the roster.
Hand, 21, will fill the rotation spot of Josh Johnson, who is on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.
(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Rex Gowar)
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