Young Says One Day of Rest Is Better Than 15

Second baseman Eric Young took the day off Wednesday to rest his strained right quadriceps muscle.

Young, who leads the National League with 27 stolen bases, is becoming increasingly frustrated because of his injury.

“It’s been sore for a while now, and it’s been hurting a lot the last few days,” Young said. “Some days it hurts worse than other days, but that soreness is always there.

“The trainers are doing everything they can to get it loose--stimulus, heat massages, weight training--but it’s a big knot in there right now.”

Young is batting .284 and also leads the team with 45 runs. He’s restless because he doesn’t have his speed.

“Speed is my game, whether it’s on offense or defense,” said Young, who has been caught stealing eight times.

“And to play my game, I have to be able to put fear into pitchers that I’m going to [run] at any moment. I can’t do that if they know I can’t run.”

Young needs rest, but he hopes to avoid the disabled list. He knows this is an important time for the team, and he wants to help.

“I know that I need the rest, but I don’t think I need to go on the 15-day disabled list,” he said. “I don’t want to sit around for 14 days resting when the team needs me.

“I’m just going to pick my spots and take days off here and there. Hopefully, that will be enough to get it feeling right again.”

*

A second physician has recommended that right-hander Ramon Martinez undergo season-ending surgery on his injured throwing shoulder. Martinez is seeking a third opinion today. . . . Catcher Charles Johnson will leave the team Friday in Colorado to attend the funeral of his grandmother, Ethel Watkins, at Ft. Pierce, Fla. He is also expected to miss Saturday’s game against the Rockies.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Colorado Rockies, four games.

* Site--Coors Field, Denver.

* Tonight--6 PDT.

* TV--Channel 5 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

* Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330)

* Records--Dodgers 34-36, Rockies 30-42.

* Record vs. Rockies--2-3.

DODGERS’ DAVE MLICKI

(2-4, 5.56 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’ JAMEY WRIGHT

(5-6, 5.72 ERA)

* Update--This is a pivotal series for Bill Russell. Although some team officials would prefer to evaluate Russell’s performance at the All-Star break, support for the manager is dwindling within the organization. The Dodger clubhouse is tense with anticipation of Russell’s possible midseason dismissal, and the situation has further distracted a team that hasn’t handled obstacles well. A poor showing against the Rockies would increase the heat on Russell. The last few days have been understandably difficult for the manager. He is counting on a big performance from newly acquired pitcher Mlicki in the series opener. Mlicki was outstanding in his most recent start last Friday, pitching eight innings in a 2-1 victory over the Rockies at Dodger Stadium. As expected, Dennis Reyes will take Martinez’s turn Saturday in the rotation. The Rockies have the worst home record in the league at 11-20.

* Friday, 6 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (4-6, 3.74) vs. Pedro Astacio (4-8, 6.28).

* Saturday, 5 p.m.--Dennis Reyes (0-1, 3.65) vs. John Thomson (1-2, 7.71).

* Sunday, noon--Chan Ho Park (5-4, 4.63) vs. Bobby Jones (1-1, 5.27).