Karros Disabled; Sheffield Next?

On another day of bad news for the Dodgers, they put first baseman Eric Karros on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a sprained lower back, and learned all-star left fielder Gary Sheffield might be sidelined because of a sprained index finger.

The Karros move, retroactive to Tuesday, was made after back specialist Robert Watkins performed tests on the nine-year veteran during a lengthy examination at County-USC Medical Center.

The Dodgers recalled left-handed reliever Jesse Orosco, 44, from triple-A Las Vegas to fill the 25-man roster opening, and team officials said a decision regarding Sheffield will be made today.

Many key players have been on the disabled list, the projected opening-day lineup has played together only once and the club is coming off a 3-6 trip.

But the Dodgers are in the National League West race under first-year Manager Jim Tracy, who has stressed resourcefulness over excuses while shuffling the batting order and rotation.

“Once again, we’re in another situation that we’ve pretty much been in for 47 games,” Tracy said in a conference call with reporters. “We have to find ways to mix and match, and keep our heads above water, keep ourselves floating, just like we’ve been doing in the absences of people like Adrian Beltre, like Dave Hansen, like Andy Ashby . . . and now we’re dealing with an Eric Karros.

“It’s just another situation where we’re going to have to do some things. We have to put some stuff together, and hopefully be able to win some baseball games and keep ourselves in this race.”

Although Karros is eligible to be activated from the disabled list June 6, Tracy acknowledged he might require more time because of the often unpredictable nature of back injuries.

Karros will rest and undergo treatment from team medical personnel the next two weeks while periodically being reevaluated.

“Obviously, I can’t play right now, so it makes all the sense in the world to be cautious and get this taken care of,” said Karros, who could not bat in a key situation in Monday’s 6-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies and sat out the final two games of the series.

“I have no idea how long it will be [until he returns]. There’s nothing I can do about it right now but just deal with it. It is what it is.”

Sheffield sat out four games (April 26-29) because of what was diagnosed as a strained left index finger, which occurred while he fielded ground balls during a pregame workout April 25.

An MRI exam Thursday showed that his finger is actually badly sprained, and the Dodgers now must determine whether their top run producer should join Karros on the disabled list.

“I don’t ever want to be out of the lineup, but you also don’t want to be out there hurting the team,” said Sheffield, examined at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Culver City after going four for 31 on the trip.

“I needed to get it done [the MRI exam] to see exactly what’s going on, and then just go from there. You don’t want to take a chance on making it worse for later [in the season]. We’ll just have to wait and find out [today] what to do now.”

Karros was diagnosed with a strained back in Montreal during a nine-game, 10-day trip that ended Wednesday, but Watkins’ exam revealed a more serious injury.

The evaluation of Watkins--considered one of the nation’s leading back experts--was key in setting the Dodgers’ course.

Watkins determined Karros, who has fluid in his lumbar area, needed more than a few days’ rest as had been hoped, prompting the Dodgers to put their No. 3 all-time home run leader on the disabled list for only the second time in his productive career.

Physical therapist Pat Screnar said the injury has hampered Karros--batting .232 with five homers and 24 runs batted in--most at the plate, but Karros downplayed the injury factor in his performance.

“If I’m out on the field, if anybody is on the field, there should be no comments about anything,” said Karros, sidelined the first 21 games in 1998 after having arthroscopic knee surgery.

“My back is no reason for any of that. I don’t think anybody feels 100% all the time, but if you’re good to go out on the field, that’s it.”

Tracy said Paul Lo Duca will be the primary replacement for Karros at first base.

Karros’ injury created an opening for Orosco, baseball’s all-time appearance leader with 1,096, who pitched well for the triple-A 51s.

He is 1-0 without giving up an earned run in seven innings spanning 10 appearances, has 11 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .160 batting average.

The 22-year veteran, making $585,000 in the majors, also played on the Dodgers’ 1988 World Series championship club.

“It’s very important that we find out if, in fact, Jesse Orosco is one of the pieces that we’re looking for as far as a left-hander that’s going to be able to take out some tough left-handed hitters,” Tracy said. “We have a window of opportunity in order to be able to find out the answers to those questions.”

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