DODGERS FYI: Hanley Ramirez is not in the starting lineup PHOENIX - Hanley Ramirez didn't play catch or take batting practice Wednesday at Chase Field, but Manager Don Mattingly insisted the shortstop was healthy. "Part of the plan," Mattingly said. Nick Punto started at shortstop in place of Ramirez, who is also expected to be out of the lineup Thursday in the Dodgers' series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ramirez returned to the field Tuesday night after missing the previous four games because of an irritated nerve in his back. Ramirez appeared to limp across home plate when scoring from first on an eighth-inning triple by Michael Young. Ramirez was removed from the game after scoring the run, but Mattingly said that was because the Dodgers were blowing out the Diamondbacks and not because Ramirez was injured. Isn't he always kind of limping? He's good. He's good today physically. A little bit sore. Mattingly said he would handle Ramirez carefully for the remainder of the regular season. Every game Ramirez plays will be followed by a few games off. Ramirez was on the disabled list twice this season, costing him 52 games. "I don't feel like anybody feels Hanley is 100%," Mattingly said. Mattingly acknowledged the Dodgers couldn't afford to lose Ramirez. "Obviously, he's a pretty big chunk of the middle [of the lineup]," Mattingly said. He hits good pitching. He's dangerous. He gets on base. He's played good shortstop. He's been a force. Ethier making progress Andre Ethier showed up to Chase Field in a protective boot again, as he was still bothered by shin splints on the outer part of his left leg. But Ethier has started hitting in an indoor cage and Mattingly is hopeful the outfielder can resume working out on the field this weekend in San Diego. Ethier underwent exams last weekend in Los Angeles, which determined he doesn't have a stress fracture. "Every day, it's getting a little better," Ethier said. Ethier didn't know when he would be able to play again. He said his goal was to play in at least a couple of games before the end of the regular season. That should be enough to prepare him for the postseason. "It should be enough," Ethier said. We played 150 so far. I played in all of those. Playoff tickets on sale Friday The Dodgers will start selling postseason tickets Friday. The prices for individual game tickets range from $30 to $160 for the National League division series, $65 to $190 for the NL Championship Series, and $210 to $350 for the World Series. Season-ticket holders can purchase tickets at discounted prices. The Dodgers will sell tickets for division series and potential league championship series games Friday, with tickets for potential World Series games available at a later date, team spokesman Steve Brener said. The Dodgers announced that their Twitter followers would get access to playoff tickets at 9 a.m. Friday, before any tickets become available to the public. The Dodgers can be followed on Twitter at @dodgers. Times staff writer Bill Shaikin contributed to this report from Los Angeles.