Major League Baseball

Manny Ramirez on Dodgers' roster for Taiwan games

Published Mar. 3, 2010 12:11 a.m. ET

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Manny Ramirez is on the Dodgers' final roster for an upcoming three-game exhibition series in Taiwan, not that it guarantees the veteran will make the trip.

The Dodgers are traveling to Asia for the second time in three years after also playing a series in China before the 2008 season. They will play three games against Taiwan all-star teams March 12-14.

But even if Ramirez makes it to Taiwan, it doesn't necessarily mean he will play in all three of the sold-out games. After the 2004 season, Ramirez was on a major-league all-star team that was scheduled to play eight games in Japan. He played in just two before bolting for home.

The Dodgers did not ask any of their starters to make this year's trip, but both first baseman James Loney and Ramirez volunteered to go. Ramirez has reportedly lined up endorsement opportunities in Taiwan, where he is extremely popular.

A week ago, manager Joe Torre was taking an I'll-believe-it-when-I-see-it approach to Ramirez's involvement, but it sounds as though he is now more confident about Ramirez's participation.

``I've asked him and he said yes, and again, it's his choice, not ours,'' Torre said. ``I said, 'Are you going to Taiwan with me?' He said, 'Yeah.'

Asked if it was an enthusiastic, 'Yeah,' Torre said that Ramirez sounded as though he was into the idea of making the 13-hour flight to Taiwan.

Ramirez politely declined to comment on the Taiwan trip.

Ramirez did not take part in Tuesday's B game, a 4-2 Dodgers victory over the Chicago White Sox. The victory won't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it did reveal a leader in the battle for the fifth starter.

Eric Stults gave up one hit in a scoreless inning and appeared to gain a slight edge over knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, who followed with a rocky inning of his own.

Stults, who used a team psychologist during the offseason, credited his new mental approach for aiding his solid start.

``There is some visualization involved,'' Stults said. ``A lot of it is getting yourself in the right mindset before you take the mound.''

Stults will get his next start Saturday in an official spring game against the White Sox. He is also scheduled to be on the trip to Taiwan.

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