DODGERS NOTEBOOK: WERTH MAKING PROGRESS.Byline: Tony Jackson
Anthony (Antonio) Jackson, best known as Tony Jackson Staff Writer VERO BEACH Vero Beach (vēr`o), city (1990 pop. 17,350), seat of Indian River co., E Fla., on Indian River (a lagoon and part of the Intracoastal Waterway); founded c.1888, inc. 1919. , Fla. - Dodgers left fielder Jayson Werth Jayson Richard Gowan Werth (born May 20, 1979 in Springfield, Illinois) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who currently plays for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has usually been a bench player, but injuries to regular right fielder Shane Victorino and his backup Michael caught balls with his glove hand and took ``dry swings'' with a bat over the weekend, the first time he had done either since suffering a broken radius bone in his right wrist when he was hit by a pitch from Florida's A.J. Burnett on March 2. ``He's making headway in the right direction, but it was a little bit tentative,'' manager Jim Tracy
Tracy still believes that once Werth is able to carry out all baseball activities, there will be plenty of time for him to get ready for the season, especially if he plays in simultaneous minor-league games on adjacent fields and bats every inning. But the fact that outfielder Jason Repko Jason Edward Repko (born December 27, 1980 in East Chicago, Indiana) is an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Primarily a utility outfielder, his career had been slowed by numerous injuries. has played so well all spring takes some pressure off Werth. After going 2 for 5 in Sunday's split-squad loss to the New York Mets
If Werth isn't ready to go, he could stay behind in extended spring training and begin the season on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to as far back as March 24 (10 days before the regular season begins on April 3). That would make him eligible for activation as early as April 8, and the Dodgers don't even play a game until April 5. Fourth outfielder In baseball, a fourth outfielder is a backup outfielder who does not have the hitting skills to regularly play in the corner outfield but does not have the fielding skills to play center field. Ricky Ledee, who figures to get a lot of playing time anyway, could man left field until Werth is ready. Meanwhile, Repko could get at least a taste of the major-league life a year ahead of schedule. --More moves: The Dodgers have optioned outfielder Cody Ross to the minor leagues, leaving 44 players in big-league camp. But the more significant move of the weekend came when left-hander Orlando Rodriguez, who was optioned last week, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A Jacksonville, vacating a 40-man roster spot. That is a clear indication the Dodgers probably will purchase the contracts of at least two non-roster players. The move leaves 39 players on the roster, but there effectively are two open spots because pitcher Darren Dreifort will soon be placed on the 60-day disabled list. Tony Jackson, (818) 713-3675 tony.jackson(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: JAYSON WERTH Outfielder's wrist recovery is going well, but he might not be ready for Opening Day. Box: BEYOND THE BOX SCORE |
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