DODGERS NOTEBOOK: LOFTON, NOMAR AILING.Byline: TONY JACKSON
Anthony (Antonio) Jackson, best known as Tony Jackson Staff Writer PITTSBURGH - Dodgers center fielder Kenny Lofton Kenneth Lofton (born May 31, 1967 in East Chicago, Indiana) is a Major League Baseball outfielder. He bats and throws left-handed. He currently plays left field for the Cleveland Indians, with whom he has spent 10 seasons during three separate stints. and first baseman 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. are eligible to return from the 15-day disabled list Friday and Tuesday, respectively. But while the general assumption since they were shelved has been that each will be ready when his time comes, neither is a lock. Lofton, who has a strained left calf, took part in an optional early workout Wednesday, during which he took batting practice and shagged shag 1 n. 1. A tangle or mass, especially of rough matted hair. 2. a. A coarse long nap, as on a woolen cloth. b. Cloth having such a nap. 3. A rug with a thick rough pile. flies. "In all areas of his game, he looks like he's ready to go," manager Grady Little William Grady Little (born March 30, 1950 in Abilene, Texas) is a manager in Major League Baseball. He guided the Boston Red Sox from 2002 to 2003, and has been manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2006. said. "But his leg is what put him on the DL, and that will be the limiting factor A factor or condition that, either temporarily or permanently, impedes mission accomplishment. Illustrative examples are transportation network deficiencies, lack of in-place facilities, malpositioned forces or materiel, extreme climatic conditions, distance, transit or overflight rights, . When he feels it's ready, he'll be ready for activation. He did a lot of running and a lot of testing, and it's not 100 percent just yet." It has one more day to get there, or Lofton will miss more time. "It's not looking like it won't be (ready), but I can't say it necessarily will be, either," Little said. Garciaparra (strained muscle, right side) is still taking treatment and hasn't done any baseball activity beyond swinging a bat without striking a ball. Although he still has five days, that isn't much time because he still has several steps to get through before returning. "Once I start to take BP and all that stuff, I don't think it will be long," he said. --Waiting game: The last-minute reprieve outfielder Cody Ross Cody Joseph Ross (born December 23, 1980, in Portales, New Mexico), is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the Florida Marlins (2006-present). He was traded to the Marlins from the Reds for cash or a player to be named later. got when Lofton went down at the end of spring training will expire when Lofton returns. What that means for Ross is that the state of limbo begins anew, amid the virtual certainty that he will be designated for assignment Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. in the days to come because he is out of minor-league options. Ross had a strong enough spring and has played well enough in limited time this season - 3 for 7 with a double and a triple - that he likely will be claimed by another club that will keep him in the big leagues. "I have always been told that when you play, it's not only for your team, but also for the 29other teams," said Ross, referring to the fact every Dodgers game is attended by a handful of scouts from other clubs. "But my mind-set is that I just want to help this team right now." He also is getting a better vibe than he had at the end of spring training. "I would think I have a better chance (of being claimed) now that the season is under way and some guys are getting hurt," Ross said. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion