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Hanley expects to return on Tuesday

All-Star scratched on Monday with right groin injury

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By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

03/15/10 4:04 PM EST

JUPITER, Fla. -- Marlins All-Star Hanley Ramirez was scratched from the lineup on Monday with a tight right groin.

The ailment is nothing to cause alarm. And while the 26-year-old shortstop is listed as day-to-day, he said he will play on Tuesday.

"It's just a day," Ramirez said. "It's nothing. I'll play tomorrow."

Ramirez took batting practice on Monday and did his normal routine. But about less than an hour before the Marlins were to face the Twins at Roger Dean Stadium, Florida announced its star shortstop would be out of the lineup.

"He said he felt a little sore while running the bases," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

The Marlins have a split-squad day on Tuesday, and Ramirez said he will make the trip on Tuesday to face the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Half of the team will head to the Orlando, Fla., area, while the other half will go to Viera, Fla., to take on the Nationals.

Ramirez has appeared in eight of the Marlins' first 11 games, and he is batting .250 with three doubles and two RBIs in Grapefruit League action. Ramirez had an RBI double against the Mets in Sunday's 5-1 win.

The Marlins were without their top two sluggers on Monday. Jorge Cantu wasn't in camp, excused because of flu-like symptoms.

Cantu visited the doctor on Monday, and the team hasn't ruled him out traveling to Viera.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.