Ramirez was set to bat fourth as the designated hitter Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing Boston manager Terry Francona to give David Ortiz a day off before Sunday's season finale.

``I thought putting Manny in as a DH is a good way to maybe split the difference,'' Francona said. ``Maybe he could drive a couple runs in.''

Ramirez had missed the last five games with soreness in his right knee after pinch hitting in Boston's 5-3 loss to Toronto on Sept. 23. He missed 12 games before that with the same knee ailment and hasn't played left field since Sept. 9.

The 2004 World Series MVP was in the lineup Tuesday night briefly before being scratched in the afternoon. But Francona said Ramirez has run the bases without pain since and is healthy enough to at least hit.

``The idea is for everybody to leave here knowing they're OK, which I think is important,'' Francona said. ``So in that aspect, getting him out onto the field is good.''

Francona said he'd wait until after Saturday's game before deciding whether to play Ramirez Sunday.

Ramirez entered Saturday's game hitting .318 with 34 homers and 101 RBIs.