Drew’s Knee Still Not 100%

The Dodgers needed J.D. Drew’s bat, but Drew’s left knee needed rest, and that was that.

He sat out for the fifth game in a row Sunday because of a sore kneecap even though he took batting practice before the game.

“I talked to three doctors and the training staff, and they’ve got a game plan to keep me from being out a long time,� Drew said. “It’s a matter of trusting what those guys think.�

On Saturday he hit off a tee before the game. Although he didn’t feel pain, he told Manager Jim Tracy he was unavailable, and that meant even as a pinch-hitter when the Dodgers trailed by two runs with a runner on in the ninth inning.

Another ideal opportunity arose Sunday. The Dodgers had runners on first and second with two out in the ninth. Angel closer Francisco Rodriguez was struggling with his control. But Tracy had to stay with rookie Mike Edwards, who grounded out.

“In those situations, it’s tough,� Drew said. “From a player’s standpoint, any time you see a situation like that, you want to help the team out. But I don’t want to do anything crazy.�

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Milton Bradley’s bat also has been sorely missed -- and for a lot longer than Drew’s. He has been on the disabled list for 27 days because of a torn ligament in his ring finger.

Swinging left-handed causes the switch-hitting outfielder pain, and Dodger trainers say he could come back sooner by batting right-handed. Tracy said a minor league rehabilitation assignment for Bradley “more than likely will be discussed.�

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Coach Glenn Hoffman is recovering well from a concussion caused when he was struck by a batting practice line drive 11 days ago. However, he still has equilibrium problems from a bruise and inner-ear damage.

“The inner ear and the balance center of the brain are bruised up,� Hoffman said. “I should be fine, as soon as everything stops moving.�

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Left-hander Odalis Perez will make at least one more start at triple-A Las Vegas before being activated from the disabled list.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- San Diego Padres, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- FSN West 2.

Radio -- 980, 1330.

Records -- Dodgers 35-40, Padres 42-34.

Tonight, 7 -- D.J. Houlton (3-1, 5.72) vs. Tim Stauffer (1-3, 4.44).

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- Elmer Dessens (0-0, 3.32) vs. Brian Lawrence (4-6, 4.42).

Wednesday, noon -- Jeff Weaver (6-7, 4.75) vs. Darrell May (1-2, 5.40).

Tickets -- (866) 363-4377.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

All for one

The combined career stats for the Dodger lineup before Sunday’s game looks amazingly similar to the career numbers of former Dodger Juan Samuel:

*--* Player AB H HR RBI AVG Cesar Izturis 2,090 554 9 162 265 Antonio Perez 252 73 3 20 290 Olmedo Saenz 1,199 324 50 178 270 Jayson Werth 491 124 20 75 253 Hee-Seop Choi 782 183 38 108 234 Jason Phillips 999 259 23 126 259 Mike Edwards 89 29 0 5 326 Jason Grabowski 262 55 11 31 210 Cody Ross 25 5 1 0 200 * TOTALS 6,189 1,606 155 705 259 * SAMUEL 6,081 1,578 161 703 259

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