DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GAGNE THROWS SESSION.Byline: VINCENT VINCENT Vital Information Necessary Centralized (movie, The Black Hole) BONSIGNORE Staff Writer Aside from a couple of mock disagreements on strikes and balls with the home-plate umpire, Eric Gagne pronounced his second -- and last -- batting practice session a success Tuesday. Gagne threw the 20-pitch session without restrictions, mixing in all of his pitches and even breaking the bat of Willy Aybar Willy Del Jesus Aybar (born March 9, 1983 in Bani, Dominican Republic), is an infielder in Major League Baseball under contract with the Atlanta Braves. He is the older brother of Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim shortstop, Erick Aybar. with a particularly nasty breaking ball. The only negative was he thought the umpire -- Dodgers hitting coach Eddie Murray
``They're all strikes,'' Gagne said later, laughing. It was another giant step for Gagne as he continues his comeback from two elbow surgeries over the past 11 months. He's thrown two batting practice sessions over the past four days -- his first pitching off the mound since his April 7 elbow nerve surgery -- and thrown long toss and in the bullpen on the off days. Most encouraging is how his arm has held up. ``I don't have to worry about anything,'' Gagne said. ``I just ice it. It feels fine. I don't even think about my elbow anymore.'' Gagne will report to Triple-A Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. to pitch Friday and Monday. If all goes well, he'll be back with the Dodgers on June 1. --Izturis headed to Florida: Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis will report to extended spring training in Florida on Thursday to get some at bats in, then head to Las Vegas on June 1 to begin a minor-league rehabilitation stint. Izturis, who underwent Tommy John ``Everything's been going great the last couple of weeks,'' Izturis said. ``I feel fine, and I'm ready I'm Ready is the double platinum second release from R&B singer Tevin Campbell. I'm Ready yielded the biggest R&B hit of his career the #1 R&B smash "Can We Talk", and produce 3 more successful hits in "I'm Ready", "Always In My Heart" and "Don't Say Goodbye Girl". to take another step.'' Izturis said he expects to work exclusively at shortstop when he arrives in Las Vegas next week, although Little said he can envision Izturis playing second base and maybe some third base. ``As far as I know I'm just focusing on playing (shortstop),'' Izturis said. Little also hinted the Dodgers could move another infielder to third base to allow Izturis to play either shortstop or second. That would mean moving either Nomar Garciaparra Anthony Nomar Garciaparra[1] (born July 23, 1973, in Whittier, California) is a Mexican-American baseball player who currently plays third base for the Los Angeles Dodgers. or Jeff Kent Jeffrey Franklin Kent (born March 7, 1968 in Bellflower, California) is a Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and a former MVP winner. Early career . Both have experience playing third base in their career. Of course, those decisions will be made another day. ``Right now I just want to focus on getting back on the field and playing in a game again,'' Izturis said. ``We'll just take it a day at a time from here.'' |
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