Hall’s Injury Puts Bigger Burden on Worrell

He is the Dodger most taken for granted. Usually, the only time he ever hears reaction is when he blows a save.

Yet, now more than ever, the Dodgers realize that veteran closer Todd Worrell has become indispensable. He is invaluable to the Dodgers’ pennant hopes, particularly with the loss of right-handed setup man Darren Hall. Hall has a torn flexor muscle in his right elbow that is expected to sideline him at least until late July or August.

This leaves the Dodger bullpen dreadfully inexperienced from the right side. Worrell has 183 career saves, including six this season. The rest of the bullpen has combined for only 41 saves, including two last season.

“I’m not any more talented than I was,” said Worrell, who saved a Dodger franchise record 32 games last season, “but the big difference is the experience level. And, of course, I’m healthy now.

“Deep down, I think I would have retired if I didn’t have the stuff anymore.”

Instead, six years after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, Worrell has become the pitching staff’s savior. He has been successful in 38 of his last 42 save opportunities, and has not permitted a run in 23 1/3 consecutive innings, dating to last season.

“I think my career would be over without the Dodgers,” Worrell said. “Pat Screnar [Dodger physical therapist] saved my career. He jump-started me. He got me on a program that I had to stick with, and what can I say, it worked.”

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Hall, who will undergo surgery Tuesday, apologized to Fred Claire, executive vice president, for suffering the injury. Claire reassured him that he remains in their plans. Dr. Frank Jobe said that Hall could resume throwing in eight weeks, and could return to the Dodgers in three or four months.

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Ramon Martinez (torn groin muscle) is scheduled to pitch off the mound for the second time today and hopes to pitch a simulated game before the end of the home stand Wednesday. Martinez said he then probably will make two starts on a rehabilitative assignment, enabling him to return by mid-May, as expected. . . . When Martinez returns to the rotation, the Dodgers will send Chan Ho Park or Pedro Astacio to the bullpen. . . . First baseman Eric Karros (strained left rib cage), who has sat out the last four games, swung off a batting tee Friday but has not taken batting practice. He is expected to be out at least through the weekend.