Bad News for White, Elster

The Dodgers will be without center fielder Devon White and shortstop Kevin Elster for at least two weeks. Examinations Thursday showed that White has a partially torn left rotator cuff and Elster a pulled right groin.

White will need season-ending surgery if his shoulder does not respond to therapy within the next few weeks. Both players will go on the 15-day disabled list today.

The Dodgers plan to activate reliever Antonio Osuna from the disabled list and recall middle infielder Alex Cora from triple-A Albuquerque to fill the 25-man roster. Cora and Osuna, at Albuquerque on a rehabilitation assignment, are expected to be in uniform tonight against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium.

Although White and Elster were expected to be sidelined, the Dodgers had hoped for better news.

“It’s bad, no question about it,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “Both of these guys have been great. With Devo, we’re definitely going to want to be careful not to push him.

“That shoulder was already [operated on] once. You have to make sure everything goes right this time, or you can run into some bigger problems down the road. We’re not going to take any chances.

“With Elster, those [groin injuries] are usually at least 15 days. If you try to get back before that you can double it [the rehabilitation time]. We just have to make sure we get them right again.”

Elster and White were examined by team physician Frank Jobe. An MRI exam revealed the tear on White’s non-throwing shoulder, which he had surgically repaired in the off-season.

White was injured diving in the outfield Tuesday during the ninth inning of the Atlanta Braves’ 5-3 victory. Elster’s injury occurred Wednesday in the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 6-4 victory.

“Devo really worries me,” Johnson said. “They [team physicians] might have to operate if the exercise program doesn’t help, and that could be it.”

White, 37, was playing well in the everyday leadoff role. He is batting .289 with three home runs, nine runs batted in and 13 runs.

“I know my body, and I knew it was bad when I hit the ground,” White said. “I’m just going to have to give it time now and hope [it heals].”

Elster, who turns 36 Aug. 3, has been among baseball’s biggest surprises. He is batting .250 with six homers--including three in one game--and 17 RBIs after being out of baseball last season, and last playing a full season in ’96.

Todd Hollandsworth will start in center and bat leadoff with White out, and utility man F.P. Santangelo also will play. Jose Vizcaino and Cora will split time at shortstop.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Houston Astros, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2 tonight, Channel 5 on Saturday and ESPN on Sunday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 15-12, Astros 11-16.

* Record vs. Astros--1-1.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(2-1, 2.88 ERA)

vs.

ASTROS’

SHANE REYNOLDS

(4-0, 3.35 ERA)

* Update--Brown’s still-healing right pinkie hasn’t bothered him during recent bullpen sessions. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 1.50 earned-run average in seven starts (54 innings) against Houston. Reynolds has been the Astros’ only consistent starter.

* Saturday, 7 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (1-1, 2.67) vs. Octavio Dotel (1-2, 4.20).

* Sunday, 5 p.m.--Eric Gagne (0-2, 3.22) vs. Jose Lima (1-5, 9.59).