Manny Ramirez reports to Iowa Cubs

Yesterday, a report by Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com stated that Manny Ramirez is due to report to the Iowa Cubs this evening.

In late May, the Cubs inked Manny to a player/coach deal. When the announcement was made that Ramirez was joining the Cubs, the was a slight degree of confusion and even skepticism. The Cubs brass quickly pointed out that Ramirez was signed as a mentor to the organization’s bright, young hitters, not a player, although Ramirez will occasionally take the field. On the surface, this appears not to be a publicity stunt.

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein stated that Ramirez “has a lot to offer” to the young hitters.

And we cannot forget the Boston ties between the two.

Ramirez has been at the Cubs spring training facility in Arizona in order to get into playing shape. He has been working alongside minor leaguers and rehabbing players. His first action could come this weekend as the I-Cubs began a five-game series against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

To make room for Ramirez, the Cubs had released outfielder Casper Wells after their game on Tuesday.

In looking at the I-Cubs lineup tonight, Ramirez is not among the starters. This is the first game of a doubleheader as the second game is a make-up of an April postponement. Manny will be in the second game.