Injury Shouldn’t Hamper Dreifort

Pitcher Darren Dreifort, who experienced swelling in his right ankle after his last start, was examined by team doctors Tuesday and cleared to start tonight.

Dreifort, who has pitched with the condition the last four years, underwent surgery on the ankle in November to relieve shin splints, which had caused the inflammation. He had the bone scraped to relieve the pressure on the shin.

The reoccurrence was not as severe, but did cause some concern.

“There is no way to treat it except to shut it down,” Dreifort said. “That is not going to happen.”

Dreifort threw on the sidelines Sunday and appeared fine, according to Manager Davey Johnson.

“He has some sort of ‘itis,’ ” Johnson said. “It hurts him after he pitches. But there was swelling this time. They thought it might be a stress fracture. They have kind of ruled that out.

“If the doctors had told me he couldn’t pitch for two weeks, I’d do what they say. They said he’s not going to hurt it by pitching.”

Dreifort gave up only one run through six innings against Florida on Friday, then gave up four runs in the seventh. But he said the ankle didn’t affect his pitching.

“I didn’t even feel it,” Dreifort said. “Like anybody else, you get banged up and you don’t feel things until the next day because of adrenaline. Last year, I would feel it between innings.”

*

Devon White ran to test his sore hamstring Tuesday, but his condition remained uncertain. He will probably not play today, although Johnson still hopes he will be ready by Friday.

White’s injury has provided playing time for Todd Hollandsworth, who has started the last two games. He had started only two other games since returning from his own hamstring injury on April 23.

“I haven’t gotten a lot of playing time,” said Hollandsworth, who had three hits in 17 at bats before Tuesday. “Now I’m in there and I have to make the most of it.

“The hard part is getting a feel at the plate. They were throwing me change ups yesterday and I was over-swinging on everything. It’s easier to play the field. I’m seeing the ball and getting a good jump on everything.”

Hollandsworth showed his hamstring is fine Tuesday, legging out a double in his first at bat in the second inning--an important factor in Johnson’s mind.

“We can go with three outfielders as long as no one else gets hurt,” Johnson said.

*

Jose Vizcaino started at shortstop for a second consecutive game, as Johnson gave Mark Grudzielanek another day to work out his hitting problems. Grudzielanek has two hits in his last 13 at bats.

“I felt Grud was getting a few bad habits at the plate,” Johnson said. “When he starts doing what he is capable of doing, he will be my shortstop. That’s nothing about Jose. I still like the idea of being able to move him around the infield.”

*

Third baseman Adrian Beltre’s fast start has Johnson impressed, and a tad nervous. Beltre was hitting .347 going into Tuesday’s game and had hits in 24 of his last 26 games.

“Just leave him alone and don’t write anything about him,” Johnson said.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT (4-2, 5.08 ERA)

vs.

CUBS’ KEVIN TAPANI (2-1, 2.25 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7:30

TV--Fox Sports West 2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--Johnson would give the Dodger an average grade so far. “There have been games where we played great and there have been games where we played poor,” he said. “To be truthful, I’d say we have played fair so far. It’s tough to play up to your billing. I just want these guys to go out and play. “We need to get a little winning streak going to keep the talk radio guys off my [butt],” Johnson said, then smiled. “They can start talking about the Lakers and them choking.”