Tracy Encouraged by Karros’ Workout

After Eric Karros took batting practice and fielded grounders without incident Saturday, Dodger Manager Jim Tracy called the events “very encouraging.”

While Karros has been eligible to come off the disabled since Wednesday, he has remained inactive since suffering from a strained lower back, which had been nagging the first baseman since March.

“I saw more mobility and more flexibility in the lower half of his body than I saw going back to Day 1 in spring training,” Tracy said. “That’s how much freer and looser that he looks in the lower half of his body.

“I hadn’t seen that in quite awhile.”

The Dodgers have not discussed sending Karros to triple-A Las Vegas for a rehab assignment.

“We’re just going day-by-day right now,” Karros said. “I don’t know what other people’s impressions are but I’m still on the DL.

“I’ve been progressing. What the timetable is, I don’t know.”

Tracy said having Karros back sooner at 90% or later at 100% may hinge on the team’s fortunes over the next several games.

Kevin Brown began stretching out his right (throwing) arm with his ubiquitous elastic surgical tubing Saturday. Brown, on the disabled list because of an inflamed nerve in his neck, had not been cleared by the Dodger medical staff to perform any physical duties for fear of aggravating the nerve.

Adrian Beltre downplayed his taking a few angry steps toward Ismael Valdes with his bat in hand Friday night after the Angel starter hit his former Dodger teammate with a two-strike pitch in his left triceps.

“I don’t have nothing against him,” Beltre said. “I just got caught up in the moment a little bit.”

Valdes, meanwhile, was still reveling in the afterglow of throwing 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball at his old teammates, some of whom questioned his toughness during his two tours of duty with the Dodgers.

Before Saturday’s game and on his way to the Dodger Stadium weight room, a giddy Valdes stopped by Tracy’s office.

“Senor Tracy,” the Mexico native said. “How are you, papa?”

The two exchanged hugs and pleasantries.

Since equaling a team record by going six for six on May 28, Paul Lo Duca has batted .178 (eight for 45). . . . Friday night’s 3-hour 16-minute affair was the longest 1-0, nine-inning game ever played in a National League stadium. . . . Pitching coach Jim Colborn was on crutches Saturday because of gout.

TODAY

DODGERS’ TERRY ADAMS

(2-2, 5.19 ERA)

vs.

ANGELS’ JARROD WASHBURN

(4-4, 4.45 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 1 p.m.

TV--Channel 5. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330), KMPC (1540), KMXN (94.3 FM).

Update--Adams, making the second start of his seven-year career, has pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings against the Angels in two relief appearances. In three career appearances against the Dodgers, the left-handed Washburn has an earned-run average of 8.76 but does not have a decision.

Tickets--(323) 224-1448.