Optimism Replaces Fear for Williams

Fear may be too strong a word to describe what Jeff Williams experienced last year after he began losing strength and feeling in his left hand. The left-hander from Australia spent most of the 2000 season on the disabled list because of a left wrist strain and endured off-season surgery Oct. 10 to release scarring around the wrist’s ulnar nerve.

But now that Williams is back with the Dodgers, having been recalled Wednesday from triple-A Las Vegas, he’s able to reflect on the frustration of last season while looking forward.

“So many doubts and not knowing what’s going to happen, that’s the biggest worry when you have an injury like that,” he said. “And now to be back and feeling like it’s not an issue at all, it’s such a huge difference.”

At Las Vegas, Williams was 5-3 with a 4.90 earned-run average in 11 starts.

He made his 2001 Dodger debut Wednesday night against the Texas Rangers and gave up a run and one hit and struck out one in one inning. Against the Angels on Saturday, Williams pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings and gave up three hits.

Williams, who pitched for Australia in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, made his major league debut on Sept. 12, 1999, becoming the ninth Australian to appear in a major league game. He also defeated the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 30 of that year, winning the final baseball game at 3Com Park.

On Sept. 12, 2000, Williams was part of history when he came on in relief of countryman Luke Prokopec, marking the first time Australian-born teammates pitched in the same game.

Williams, from Canberra, and Prokopec, from Blackwood, are proud to be the second and third Aussies to play for the Dodgers, joining Craig Shipley (1986-87).

“Other [Australian] guys in the lower ranks, in the minor leagues, they can look up [for inspiration],” Williams said.

The Dodgers have left-hander Adrian Burnside, a native of Alice Springs, Australia, at double-A Jacksonville.

“As far as the Aussie thing goes, it definitely helps out to have another one on your team,” Williams said of being on the roster with Prokopec.

“I mean, it sort of brings that home flavor back and, like the Dominican guys and other [foreign] guys, we relate [to each other] in a different way,” Williams said. “The language isn’t that big of a deal, it’s just sort of a way of life and an attitude about certain things.”

ON DECK

Opponent--Arizona Diamondbacks, two games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

Tonight--7.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2 both games.

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

Records--Dodgers 37-32, Diamondbacks 42-27.

Record vs. Diamondbacks--5-5.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

DARREN DREIFORT

(4-5, 4.75 ERA)

vs.

DIAMONDBACKS’

RANDY JOHNSON

(8-4, 2.64 ERA)

Update--Dreifort was shelled by the Diamondbacks the last time he faced them, giving up eight earned runs in two-plus innings June 7 at Arizona. He already has faced the Diamondbacks three times this season and is 1-2 with an 11.37 earned-run average in 12 2/3 innings.

Wednesday, 7 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (8-4, 2.73 ERA) vs. Nick Bierbrodt (1-0, 11.57 ERA).

Tickets--(323) 224-1448.

Paul Gutierrez