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The Dodgers Daily Infirmary Report
Russell Martin reacting to Yorvit Torrealba getting on base with an RBI single in the fifth inning for the Padres 6-2 lead. AP Photo/Danny Moloshok
Since these pre-game dilly-wads are reading more like an infirmary report, let’s get it started. Russell Martin had an MRI done today. The results are not yet known as of this writing. Martin injured himself in the second inning of Tuesday night’s game after not knowing whether to slide around Padres’ catcher Nick Hundley or to run him over. He experienced pain in his hip, but was not taken out of the game since starter Ted Lilly does not throw a heat-seeking missile. Once Hong-Chih Kuo came into the game in the eighth inning, Martin was taken out.
Since Martin is on the shelf until something is known, that leaves the Dodgers with one catcher: Brad Ausmus. So the Dodgers brought up catcher AJ Ellis from AAA Albuquerque and sent down outfielder Xavier Paul.
“We just needed to do that for protection,” manager Joe Torre said. “Even if Russell is not going to be on the DL, it’s still going to be a few days.”
As for Rafael Furcal, with his MRI back fairly clean and only being diagnosed with a back strain, he will be out for about five days.
“I’m taking some anti-inflammatories and working, a lot of stretching,” Furcal said.
As for the injury, Furcal didn’t feel any tightness or soreness during the game Monday night.
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“When I got home, I was walking good,” Furcal said. But trying to get up after sitting down on the couch and watching television, “I couldn’t get up. All night I couldn’t sleep.
“I’m glad I’m getting better. Yesterday was tough. I had a lot of frustration with myself.”
One person on the mend is outfielder Reed Johnson. Out with a lumbar strain since July 9, Johnson played five innings in center field for Class-A Inland Empire 66ers Tuesday night in a rehab assignment going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
“I’m feeling good now,” Johnson said. “I’ll be out there today hitting and doing my work in the outfield.”
He feels he’s well enough to not need another rehab appearance.
“In his mind he feels as good as he’s going to feel,” Torre said. “We’ll see if we activate him. We’ll probably wait a day or so to see where Russell is. If we DL him chances are we’ll activate Reed.”
Update: Martin was diagnosed with a right hip labral tear and has been put on the 15-day disabled list. He will be re-evaluated tomorrow. Meanwhile Johnson was activated and will be available to play in tonight's game.
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Lineups
San Diego Padres
- Jerry Hairston, Jr. 2B
- Miguel Tejada, SS
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Ryan Ludwick, RF
- Chase Headley, 3B
- Yorvit Torrealba, C
- Will Venable, LF
- Chris Deorfria, CF
- Wade LeBlanc, P
LA Dodgers
- Scott Podsednik, LF
- Ryan Theriot, 2B
- Andre Ethier, RF
- Matt Kemp, CF
- Casey Blake, 3B
- Ronnie Belliard, 1B
- Jamey Carroll, SS
- Brad Ausmus, C
- Vicente Padilla, P
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