Karros Self-Diagnosis: 'It Is What It Is'

By JASON REID

June 13, 1998 12 AM PT

Eric Karros reluctantly acknowledges that his surgically repaired left knee is causing him problems.

It hasn’t responded to therapy as well as Karros hoped it would. Some days are tougher than others for Karros, and none have been great since he returned from the disabled list on April 25.

But Karros believes he’s still helping the Dodgers, and his employers agree. So he’s playing through the pain--and hoping for the best.

“It is what it is,” Karros said of the situation. “I’m probably not going to play 162 [games] anymore, and I’m going to have pick my spots from now on.”

He started at first and batted cleanup, his customary spot in the order, Friday night in the Dodgers’ 2-1 victory over Colorado.

Karros was sidelined for the first 21 games after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee March 24. Since returning, he has batted .273 (41 for 150) with four home runs and 23 RBIs.

He has experienced pain and swelling in his knee, which has forced him to make adjustments at the plate.

Karros, 30, hit at least 30 homers with 100 RBIs the last three seasons, but he concedes that, at least at this point, he can’t expect similar production for the remainder of his career. And his range in the field has also decreased.

He undergoes several hours of therapy daily before and after games, which hasn’t helped much. But Karros said he isn’t considering taking additional time off to rest.

“It’s my choice, and I don’t know how much difference it would really make,” he said. “At this point, there are things I can do and things I can’t do. I’m following a [rehabilitation] routine, and hopefully that will help.”

So he’s playing primarily on heart. The question is, will that be enough?

“Time will tell,” Karros said.

Right-handed reliever Darren Hall begins a rehabilitation assignment today at single-A San Bernardino. Hall has been on the disabled list since April 8 because of a right rotator cuff tear. . . . Infielder Tripp Cromer, who hasn’t played this season after undergoing right elbow surgery last season, is expected to begin a rehabilitation on Monday.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT (4-5, 3.56 ERA) vs. ROCKIES’ JAMEY WRIGHT (4-6, 5.88 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 1 p.m.

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

* Update--After beginning the season 0-4, Dreifort has four victories in his last five starts. Fred Claire, executive vice president, wasn’t willing to include Dreifort in a package to acquire pitcher Randy Johnson from the Seattle Mariners, and Dreifort recently showed Mariner officials what they’re missing. The first-year starter was dominant last Sunday in a 7-4 victory at the Kingdome, giving up nine hits and a run in eight innings. He struck out five with two walks--and continued to impress his manager. “You can see why the Mariners wanted him, but we weren’t willing to give him up,” Bill Russell said. “He’s a good young starter who’s really getting comfortable in this role. You can see it building every time he goes out there.” Dreifort credits his teammates for much of his success. “I’ve been getting a lot of support,” he said. “The guys have been playing great defense, and C.J. [catcher Charles Johnson] has been doing a great job behind the plate. When the offense is giving you runs and the defense is making all the plays, it makes my job a lot easier.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

New in Blue

How the key players involved in recent Dodger personnel moves are faring:

GARY SHEFFIELD

* With Dodgers: 32 for 88, .364 average, 3 home runs, 13 RBIs.

* With Marlins: 27 for 136, .272, 6 home runs, 28 RBIs.

BOBBY BONILLA

* With Dodgers: 16 for 86, .186, 1 home run, 8 RBIs.

* With Marlins: 27 for 97, .278, 4 home runs, 17 RBIs.

CHARLES JOHNSON

* With Dodgers: 18 for 83, .217, 3 home runs, 7 RBIs.

* With Marlins: 25 for 113, .221, 7 home runs, 24 RBIs.