NL WEST NOTES

Hanley Ramirez returned to the lineup, and with him came perhaps the most interesting story line of the remainder of the regular season. The Dodgers’ lineup looked a lot more imposing, with Ramirez back after sitting out 15 days because of a strained oblique. With Ramirez at SS instead of light-hitting Erisbel Arruebarrena or Miguel Rojas, the Dodgers have an offensive dimension at the position most rivals cannot come close to matching. If, that is, Ramirez is hitting. If not, the Dodgers might have to consider whether they are better off without him in the lineup. Ramirez had not played since Aug. 8, and he returned without a minor league rehabilitation game. “A little rusty,” is how manager Don Mattingly described Ramirez’ return.

Giants

After moving Tim Lincecum to the pullpen, manager Bruce Bochy told the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News: “We’re going to give Timmy a break. More than anything, he needs to clean up his delivery a little bit. He was out of sorts, and he’s been working on it hard. Sometimes you can tinker a little bit too much with it. We just want to get him cleaned up and get him back to where he was not too long ago.” Over his last six starts, Lincecum has a 9.49 ERA and has given up 41 hits in 24 2/3 innings. … 1B Brandon Belt faces another two weeks of no baseball activity because of his concussion issues.

Padres

OF Carlos Quentin isn’t going to play again the season, according to manager Bud Black. Quentin was limited to 50 games because of sore knees, with his most recent DL stint starting on July 27. … SS Everth Cabrera (strained left hamstring) has resumed baseball activities but is probably out another week. … Dick Enberg, the Padres’ TV play-by-play announcer, is headed for the U.S. Open. Enberg, CBS’ longtime voice at the Open, will return to call one last match today. With TV coverage switching to ESPN next year, CBS invited Enberg back to show its appreciation for his contributions. Enberg will miss the Padres’ weekend series against the visiting Dodgers.

Rockies

INF Nolan Arenado was named NL Player of the Week after going 12 for 22 with a pair of home runs and three RBIs. “It means a lot,” Arenado said. “It’s nice to be noticed when you have some success. The credit goes to my teammates for me getting the opportunities.” … OF Michael Cuddyer (strained left hamstring) was placed on the DL for the third time this season. The NL batting champion also was out with a strained left hamstring in April and missed more than two months with a fractured left shoulder. “This year has been rough,” Cuddyer said.

Compiled by Rick Crotts from wire reports.