KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez was a late scratch from Tuesday night's game against the Kansas City Royals after experiencing soreness in his right shoulder.

Ramirez was in manager Don Mattingly's initial lineup but was scratched about 90 minutes before the first pitch. Mattingly said Ramirez felt some pain in his joint while swinging in the series opener Monday night and that it still felt sore on Tuesday.

Mattingly said it's too early to tell how long Ramirez will be out. Carlos Triunfel took over at shortstop for him Tuesday night.

Ramirez has been dealing with shoulder inflammation and was scratched from a start against Cincinnati earlier this month. The injury is similar to the one that landed Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp on the disabled list last season.