Thumb Injury Slows Pena

An MRI exam Wednesday revealed that Dodger rookie catcher Angel Pena has ligament damage in his left thumb.

The extent of the damage has not been determined, but the injury on Pena’s receiving hand sidelined him during triple-A Albuquerque’s playoff series.

Officials are concerned because Pena might be part of the 2001 catching combination.

“What our doctors think is that he has a ligament separation,” Manager Davey Johnson said of Pena, the organization’s 1998 minor league player of the year. “We’re still trying to find out [the degree of damage] because he said he’s been feeling good the last couple of days, but he hasn’t been doing anything to irritate it.

“He hasn’t thrown in a while because of it, so we have to see how he holds up working with pitchers. We just have to wait and see how it responds and go from there.”

The Dodgers are eagerly anticipating the results.

They want to evaluate Pena, who arrived Tuesday in Los Angeles, and rookie catcher Paul LoDuca in the final 16 games because they have decided not to re-sign catcher Todd Hundley, who can become a free agent after the season.

The Dodgers plan to team Chad Kreuter, Hundley’s backup, with either Pena or LoDuca because Chairman Bob Daly wants to reemphasize pitching and defense while clearing payroll to offer pitchers Darren Dreifort and Chan Ho Park multiyear contracts.

General Manager Kevin Malone is interested in acquiring Pittsburgh Pirate catcher Jason Kendall, sources said, and Dodger pitchers would reembrace Charles Johnson, whom Malone traded for Hundley in a three-team deal.

But Kendall and Johnson are high-priced options that don’t fit the Dodger salary structure.

Team officials want to retain Kreuter, who also can become a free agent, because of his positive influence on Park.

The 10-year veteran has been chiefly credited with helping Park--15-9 with a 3.59 earned-run average--rebound after his difficult ’99 season.

The Dodgers want Kreuter, 36, to remain in a secondary role because of his age, creating opportunities for Pena and LoDuca.

Scouts consider Pena to have more potential than LoDuca.

The right-handed batter has displayed power in the minor leagues and strong receiving skills.

In 42 games with the Dodgers last season, Pena batted .208 with four home runs and 21 runs batted in. His poor work ethic also infuriated management, prompting his return to Albuquerque.

Pena was suspended after clashing with Albuquerque coaches, and reported grossly overweight to spring training this season.

And now he might have to undergo surgery and rehabilitation.

“[The injury] was bad enough to keep him from playing in the [Pacific Coast League] playoffs,” team trainer Stan Johnston said.

Some in the organization believe Pena has had enough chances, and that LoDuca should start next season as the No. 1 catcher based on his performance and dedication.

“LoDuca definitely can be an everyday catcher in the big leagues,” first baseman Eric Karros said recently. “The only thing he lacks is an opportunity.”

LoDuca shuttled between Albuquerque and Chavez Ravine the last three seasons, including three times this season.