Butler Decides to Undergo Treatment in New Orleans

Center fielder Brett Butler, who just completed his third week of radiation treatments for tonsil cancer, has decided to bypass the laetrile treatments in Tijuana, Mexico, and instead will focus his energy on returning to the Dodgers by Sept. 1.

Butler, who is having radiation three times a week but is surprising doctors with his energy, is so committed to returning that he will leave Aug. 3 for a three-week stint with famed physical therapist Mackie Shilstone in New Orleans.

“If anybody can get Brett back in playing shape,” said Eveline Butler, Brett’s wife, “it’s Mackie. Brett really wants to be back, and he’s feeling great. He and I are even playing tennis.

“He has complained a couple of days about being tired, but I told him staying up until 1:30 in the morning to watch the Dodger games and getting up at 7 in the morning for the radiation treatments might have something do with it.”

Butler spoke Friday with Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, and they will seek permission from the Milwaukee Brewers to use their triple-A facilities in New Orleans to help regain his baseball conditioning. If all goes well, Butler then will join the Dodgers’ triple-A Albuquerque team for several days before rejoining the Dodgers.

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Starter Tom Candiotti left the game in the fifth inning when he was hit on the right elbow by Mark Thompson’s pitch. The preliminary diagnosis is a bruise, but Candiotti will be re-examined today.

“I should be all right,” Candiotti said, “but two inches difference, it could be the end of my career. When you think about how close that is, it makes you nauseous.”

Said Thompson: “The last thing I wanted to do is hit the pitcher. I threw a fastball up and in and I think he was looking for a fastball away.”

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Dodger closer Todd Worrell, who became the 19th player in major league history to save 200 games Saturday, said he’ll cherish the opportunity of playing alongside shortstop Ozzie Smith one final time at the All-Star game.

“I spent a good portion of my career playing behind Ozzie, and it’s a nice gesture on Bobby Cox’s part to bring him,” Worrell said. “He deserves that kind of respect for what he’s done and contributed to this game.”

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The Dodgers, who will have no workout during the All-Star break, have decided to keep the pitching rotation in the same order when they return July 11 for a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium: Ramon Martinez, Ismael Valdes, Hideo Nomo, Tom Candiotti and Pedro Astacio.