White Cannot Pinpoint Return Date

The Dodgers hope Devon White will come off the disabled list shortly after the All-Star break, but the veteran center fielder said Saturday the timetable might change.

White has been on the disabled list since May 5 because of a partial tear on his left rotator cuff. Team physicians said White does not need season-ending surgery, and his injured shoulder has improved significantly the last few weeks.

The switch-hitter has made progress working with trainer Stan Johnston and physical therapist Pat Screnar, and the Dodgers believe White might be ready to return to the lineup in three weeks. White is optimistic but not confident about returning quickly after the break.

“I keep saying after the All-Star break, but that could be any time,” White said. “It doesn’t make any sense for me to say I’ll be back by a certain day, and then I’m not ready. I know my body, I know when I’m healthy, and when I’m ready management will know.”

White said he still experiences pain during therapy, but not enough to derail him. He has been batting off a tee right-handed and left-handed, and doing shoulder-strengthening exercises.

“It’s getting there, but I know my shoulder isn’t going to be 100% coming off an injury like this,” White said. “There’s no way I’m going to be 100%, it’s something I’m going to have to play with, but my main focus is to try to get it as strong as I can.”

White, who has sat out the last 54 games, was injured diving for a ball May 2 in a 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. The leadoff batter played well to that point, batting .289 with three home runs and nine runs batted in.

Todd Hollandsworth and F.P. Santangelo have struggled platooning in center and atop the order in White’s absence. Manager Davey Johnson is eager to activate White.

“Having Devo back in the second half should provide more options,” Johnson said. “Holly has been a lot more on the ball recently, and F.P. has to get better, and having Devo in the mix will help.

“I’d also feel more comfortable giving [left fielder Gary Sheffield and right fielder Shawn Green] a day off every now and then. I like to do that before I see bats getting a little tired.”

White wants to help.

“The main thing for me is to come back and help the team close the gap [in the National League West division race],” White said. “I think it’s going to be an interesting finish.”

*

Right-handed reliever Terry Adams is experiencing shoulder pain again. Johnson gave the setup man a few days off last week to rest his sore right shoulder, and Adams has been shut down since pitching two hitless innings and getting the victory in Wednesday’s 5-4 win against the San Diego Padres.

Adams improved to 3-3 and lowered his earned-run average to 3.07. His fastball was clocked at 97 mph against the Padres.

“That’s the best I’ve seen him throw all year,” Johnson said. “He was outstanding, but he had a little tightness in there after that.”

Adams received a cortisone shot Friday. He is expected to be available to pitch today in the final game of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants.

*

Shortstop Kevin Elster, who has a sore left hamstring, left Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Giants after doubling and scoring in the seventh inning.

“It’s a little tight, but it’s not that bad,” said Elster, who hit three homers April 11 in a 6-5 victory against the Giants at Pacific Bell Park. “I left more for precautionary reasons than anything. Davey didn’t want me to blow [his hamstring] out.”

*

Pitcher Carlos Perez said he plans to again appeal a five-game suspension issued against him--and upheld Thursday in the club’s initial appeal--for his role in a May 16 melee with fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The second suspension hearings are scheduled July 10-12 in Atlanta during the All-Star break. Commissioner Bud Selig will rule on the appeals.

*

Johnson said right fielder Green won’t be in the lineup today. Green has only two hits in his last 25 at-bats in eight games.

TODAY

DODGERS’ ERIC GAGNE

(1-4, 4.47 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’ SHAWN ESTES

(7-3, 3.81 ERA)

Pacific Bell Park, 5 p.m.

TV--ESPN. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Update--Gagne got a no-decision Tuesday in his first start after being recalled from triple-A Albuquerque. The rookie right-hander gave up three runs in six innings in the Dodgers’ 5-4, 10-inning victory. Estes is 3-6 with a 3.81 ERA against the Dodgers.