Bonilla Again Out of Commission

Left fielder Bobby Bonilla returned to the 15-day disabled list Friday because of tendinitis in his surgically repaired left wrist.

The Dodgers recalled infielder Tripp Cromer from triple-A Albuquerque to take Bonilla’s spot on the 25-man roster.

Cromer began a rehabilitation assignment at Albuquerque on July 9 after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder last September. He is expected to join the team today in St. Louis.

“It’s a tough loss, but we just have to stay close [in the National League wild-card race] and hope that Bobby Bo gets back soon,” Manager Glenn Hoffman said. “We just got him back and he was swinging the bat well, but you can’t play if your hands aren’t right.”

Bonilla, who did not accompany the team to St. Louis, underwent surgery in the off-season to repair ligament damage in the wrist, and he recently experienced swelling in that area. Interim General Manager Tom Lasorda put Bonilla on the list after he was examined Thursday in Los Angeles by a team physician.

Hoffman said Bonilla’s wrist will be immobilized in a splint for five days, and he then will undergo at least three days of rehabilitation. Bonilla was reinstated from the disabled list July 3 after overcoming an intestinal infection that physicians initially feared could be cancer-related.

Until Bonilla returns, Hoffman plans to platoon Matt Luke, Jim Eisenreich, Trenidad Hubbard and Roger Cedeno in left. Luke, who bats left-handed, started Friday night against the Cardinals and was hitless in three at-bats.

“We’re just going to have to use the guys we have to get us through,” Hoffman said. “We’re going to platoon lefty-righty as the situations dictate, and we’re going to give everyone an opportunity to contribute.

“We need contributions from everyone right now, and the fortunate thing is that we have guys who are doing that. If the younger guys can learn from this experience and play well, then that will really pick us up.”

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The Dodgers will host the Reviving Baseball in Inner City Games at Dodger Stadium today and Sunday. R.B.I. is a program that gives inner-city youths ages 13-18 an opportunity to improve their baseball skills and stresses the importance of education. Admission is free to the games, which begin at 9 a.m.

TODAY

DODGERS’ DAVE MLICKI (5-4, 4.60 ERA) vs. CARDINALS’ KENT BOTTENFIELD (2-5, 4.95 ERA)

Busch Stadium, 1 p.m. PDT.

TV--Channel 11. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Mlicki has been among the few pleasant surprises in the Dodgers’ difficult season. The right-hander is 4-0 with a 3.22 earned-run average in seven starts since being acquired June 4 from the New York Mets in the four-player Hideo Nomo deal. Mlicki went 1-4 with a 5.68 ERA in 10 starts with the Mets, including going 0-3 with a 7.27 ERA in his first five outings. But things are going well for Mlicki now. “I don’t think there’s any big secret to any of this, I just feel very comfortable here,” Mlicki said. “I got on a routine here from the beginning, and I’ve stuck with it. I’m real focused when I go out there, and the guys have been giving me great support.” Hoffman said Mlicki is providing what the Dodgers expected. “He’s got good stuff and he’s been real consistent for us,” Hoffman said. “He’s keeping us in games and giving us a chance to win, and you can’t ask for anything more than that.” The right-handed Bottenfield, a spot starter, has appeared in 34 games, starting seven.