BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Karros’ Injury Is a Pain in the Ribs

First baseman Eric Karros, fighting injuries all season, finally gave in to the pain Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves.

Karros, who aggravated his left rib cage muscle Monday night, took two swings in batting practice Tuesday, then told Manager Tom Lasorda that he couldn’t play, sitting out only his third game in three seasons. He’s scheduled to be examined today to determine whether he can return in a few days or will be put on the disabled list.

“You know he must be hurting bad for him not to play,” Lasorda said.

The injury occurred Friday night during batting practice, and it became worse when Karros dived for a ground ball against the Florida Marlins. In his last at-bat Monday, he winced in pain when he got the first hit of his career against Greg Maddux.

“Obviously, this is not the way I envisioned the beginning of the season,” said Karros, who is batting .218 with two home runs and 11 runs batted in. “But we’ve got a long road ahead.”

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Karros’ injury forced Lasorda to shuffle his lineup for a second time. Chad Fonville made his first start of the season and first start of his career at third base. Mike Blowers was moved to first base, where he played five games last season for the Seattle Mariners. And Raul Mondesi was the new cleanup hitter.

It was the first time in Mondesi’s career that he has batted cleanup, Blowers was at first for the first time this season, and Fonville was at third for the first time since spring training.

Playing another position is nothing new for Blowers. He has played every position in his professional career but pitcher, second base and center field. He even caught an inning in 1993 when Mariner Manager Lou Piniella pinch-hit for catcher Dave Valle, leaving Blowers to catch Rich DeLucia.

Do the Dodgers know Blowers can catch in an emergency?

“I hope not,” Blowers said.

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Pitching coach Dave Wallace left the team during the game when he got news that his father, Frank Wallace, had died in Waterbury, Conn. Wallace said that his father had been taken off a life-support system several days ago. Wallace is not expected to return to the team until at least this weekend.

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Perhaps the biggest surprise of the game occurred in the bottom of the eighth inning with the Braves trailing, 3-2, and Brave left fielder Ryan Klesko tried to bunt for a hit. Klesko is batting .371 with a league-leading nine homers and 17 RBIs. Left-handed reliever Scott Radinsky threw him out for the second out of the inning.

“How about Klesko bunting?” Lasorda said. “When I was a pitcher and a guy of that caliber bunted, I’d buy him a new hat.”