Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez underwent left shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum Wednesday, and expects to be fully recovered in time for spring training.

Ramirez played through soreness for the final month of the season despite expecting to have surgery, and still finished with a .332 batting average and a club-record 125 runs scored.

The 23-year old native of the Dominican Republic has never spent any period of time on the disabled list in his two-year career, although he has experienced issues with the same shoulder in the past. In May 2006, Ramirez mildly dislocated the shoulder while swinging, and then aggravated the injury during Winter League play in the Dominican.

The 2006 National League Rookie of the Year, Ramirez was one home run shy in 2007 of becoming only the third player in major league history to total 30 homers and 50 stolen bases in a season.

With starting shortstop Hanley Ramirez sidelined by a shoulder injury, the Florida Marlins called up shortstop Robert Andino from Triple-A Albuquerque for Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves.

Ramirez, who is hitting .331, strained his left shoulder while striking out the previous night. He left the game and was listed as day to day.

Ramirez underwent an MRI on Wednesday but the Marlins did not immediately release the results. Andino started at shortstop and batted eighth against the Braves.

To make room on the roster, the Marlins optioned outfielder Eric Reed to Albuquerque. He appeared in 30 games for the Marlins and was hitting just .114 (4-of-35).

Andino was batting .297 with four homers and 10 RBIs at Albuquerque. He was a September call-up by Florida a year ago and played in 17 games, hitting .195 with one RBI.

Club puts San Antonio option on back-burner

Resolving their stadium issue locally has always been the Marlins’ first priority. And now that San Antonio’s self-imposed Monday deadline has passed, the club continues to move forward in negotiations with the city of Hialeah.
For weeks there has been optimism that the Marlins and Hialeah are making progress on a retractable-roof stadium in Miami-Dade County.

San Antonio has been a serious option since the Marlins were cleared to explore relocation last November. Bexar County officials, eager for an answer on whether they should push forward, were informed Monday that the timing for San Antonio is not now.

“We are not in a position to affirmatively approve the relocation of the Marlins to San Antonio right now, and even though you asked for a commitment by May 15, we’re working closely with the Marlins to secure a stadium in Florida, and are hopeful that after 12 years, this process will be coming to a successful conclusion promptly,” MLB President Bob DuPuy said in a letter to Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. “If the Marlins do not reach a successful conclusion, we would of course intensify our discussions with you.”

So, at least for now, the Marlins are keeping San Antonio as an option should negotiations break down locally.

“We have always stated that South Florida is our first priority, but continue to recognize San Antonio as a viable relocation option,” Samson said.

Continuing what has become an annual tradition, the Marlins play an exhibition against the University of Miami before delving into their Grapefruit League schedule. This year’s contest will be a 3:05 p.m. ET start at Roger Dean Stadium on March 1. The next day the Marlins travel to Fort Lauderdale Stadium to take on the Orioles at 1:05 p.m., kicking off their Grapefruit League schedule.

Florida Marlins officials met with Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina to discuss two sites for a potential baseball stadium.

The Marlins have been shopping around the country for a new home.

Marlins President David Samson told reporters that the Hialeah talks demonstrate the team’s desire to stay in the region. Hialeah is northwest of downtown Miami.

The Marlins announced in November that Major League Baseball has granted the team permission to seek relocation. That followed the collapse of a deal to build a retractable-roof stadium in downtown Miami.

The Marlins have played in Dolphins Stadium for 13 years.

The Florida Marlins Fanfest is coming up! Feb. 11? 10:AM-4:PM

• Autograph and photograph sessions with Marlins players and coaches, Billy The Marlin and the Marlins Mermaids presented by the Miami Herald

• Interactive areas and activities including: Home Run Derby, Little Sluggers’ Zone, Big League Batting Cage, PlayStation2 Challenge, and Baseball Trivia Zone presented by Doctors Hospital

• Marlins World Championship trophies display

• Exclusive Marlins’ clubhouse and pressbox tours

• Townhall meetings with Marlins players, coaches and front office executives

• Baseball card and memorabilia shows

• Live musical entertainment

• Live radio broadcasts from the Marlins flagship stations WQAM 560 AM and WQBA 1140 AM

• Appearance by Dora the Explorer

Admission to the event is free. A $5 parking fee, which can be applied as a credit towards the purchase of game tickets, will apply during FanFest only. All other proceeds will benefit the Florida Marlins Community Foundation