Surgery a Possibility for Karros

The Dodgers’ Eric Karros, bothered by persistent pain in his left knee, returned to Los Angeles Friday for an examination to determine if surgery is needed.

It was not known how long Karros would be out, but similar problems have been known to sideline players anywhere from two weeks to an entire season.

Karros will be checked Monday. If necessary, he will undergo arthroscopic surgery.

The first baseman batted .266 with 31 home runs and 104 RBIs last season. He’s had at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs for three straight years.

Karros, 30, has played in 267 consecutive games for the Dodgers since June 4, 1996.

Rookie Paul Konerko, who hit .323 with 37 home runs and 127 RBIs at Triple-A Albuquerque last season, took Karros’ place at first base in Friday’s exhibition game against Baltimore.

According to Dodgers team physician Dr. Frank Jobe, Karros has been slowed by pain this spring and has not responded well to treatment. MRIs indicated the possibility of cartilage damage.

*

The news was better on the field, where Todd Zeile homered in a three-run eighth inning that carried the Dodgers to a 3-2 victory over Baltimore at Fort Lauderdale.

The Dodgers trailed, 2-0, before Zeile hit a two-run homer off Terry Mathews (0-2). Pinch-hitter Matt Luke and Jose Vizcaino then hit successive doubles to give the Dodgers the lead.

Antonio Osuna got four outs for the save, ending the game by retiring Mike Bordick on a popup with two runners on.

Doug Drabek pitched six innings of one-hit ball for the Orioles and faced the minimum 18 batters in extending his scoreless innings streak to 15.

After Drabek allowed an infield hit to leadoff hitter Eric Young in the first inning, Wilton Guerrero hit into a force play and was promptly picked off. Drabek then retired the next 16 batters, striking out three.

The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the first when Brady Anderson reached on an error and scored on a double by B.J. Surhoff, the only hit off Chan Ho Park over five innings.