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A few things....

BALTIMORE - Manny Ramirez, who was left back in Boston to work out, has left the workouts, with permission of the Sox front office, to return to his Ft. Lauderdale home to take care of some personal affairs.

Sox manager Terry Francona announced it in his pre-game meeting.

Francona said Ramirez would return to Boston on Sunday and then begin some baseball related activities. He will have missed 12 games after this Baltimore series with left oblique strain.

Around the horn:

*Doug Mirabelli said he suffered a mild to moderate strain of his left hamstring when he apparently over-extended himself as he surged toward the first base bag on a base-hit last night in the third inning. He's sore today and the Sox were giving it another 24 hours to really determine the extent of the injury. Mirabelli missed two weeks with a calf injury, but hopes not to spend that much time away from the game.

"I felt something as soon as I got to the bag," Mirabelli said.

The veteran catcher wasn't offering a timetable for his return.

"I'm trying to get back playing baseball as soon as possible," Mirabelli said.

Mirabelli is frustrated by recent injuries.

"It (beeps)," Mirabelli said, "but what can you do?"

Francona said the Sox would likely not bring in another catcher. Kevin Cash will be the backup catcher for now.
* Brandon Moss was having a private session with Terry Francona at first base in the afternoon to go through some finer points of playing first base. Francona said Moss will go to Santiago, D.R. to play winter ball and play first base. The Sox feel Moss is a very good outfielder who could add to his value by playing first. Don't forget, Mike Lowell is a free-agent and there's been speculation that Kevin Youkilis would move to third if a deal can't be worked out with Lowell and the Sox would sign a younger first baseman. Moss might project himself into that mix next season.

* Dustin Pedroia was back in the lineup after a day off. Ditto Jacoby Ellsbury, who didn't start last night's game but appeared. Ellsbury is in left field replacing Manny. J.D. Drew was back in right field.