Aramis Ramirez, sidelined since coming out of last Friday's game in St. Louis with a strained left calf, underwent an MRI on Thursday. The test showed inflammation, but general manager Jim Hendry said the third baseman was expected to be back in action within a few days and did not need the full 15 days off. Lou Piniella and athletic trainer Mark O'Neal watched Ramirez as he ran in the outfield prior to Thursday's game. "He went through a fairly extensive array of stretching and running exercises, and he's much better than he was in Phoenix two days ago," Piniella said. "The feeling is, the next few days we can get him out there to play."