Cora Makes Return to Starting Lineup

Shortstop Alex Cora, who was hospitalized for a night after suffering a moderate concussion during a head-first dive into the knee of Arizona shortstop Tony Womack on Monday night, returned to the starting lineup Friday night against the Astros.

Cora, who missed games Tuesday and Wednesday night, was cleared Friday by trainers who conducted hand-eye coordination tests after various exercises, such as running, riding a stationary bike, taking batting practice and fielding ground balls. Cora’s headaches were gone, and the soreness in his upper back had dissipated.

After being knocked unconscious for 30-45 seconds by his collision with Womack, Cora said he will try to avoid sliding head-first.

“But I have to go with my instincts,” Cora said. “I want to slide feet-first, but when things are moving fast, we’ll see. Hopefully I can be a little more cautious.”

Cora didn’t get a chance to test his approach Friday night; he flied out twice and grounded out in three plate appearances in the Dodgers’ 8-4 loss to Houston. But he did cleanly field the two grounders hit to him.

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Speedy center fielder Wilkin Ruan, utility player Joe Thurston and catcher David Ross are expected to be among the first wave of call-ups from triple-A Las Vegas when rosters can be expanded Sunday. One of three left-handed relievers--Mike Magnante, Jeff Williams or Victor Alvarez--will also be recalled.

Left fielder Brian Jordan, reliever Giovanni Carrara and infielder Jeff Reboulet will be activated off the disabled list Sunday, and reliever Kevin Beirne will join the Dodgers on Monday.

When Las Vegas has completed the triple-A playoffs, the two other left-handed relievers from the Magnante/Williams/Alvarez trio, and possibly outfielder Chin-Feng Chen, are expected to be recalled.

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Manager Jim Tracy said there was no need for any kind of pre-game speech to re-focus the Dodgers after a week of speculation about the labor situation. “They know where they’re at, as evidenced by the way they’ve played the last 20 games, and when you’re playing the clubs we’re playing for the last 29 games, you don’t need any motivation. This is a special opportunity for all of us.” ... Struggling left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii, whose spot in the rotation was skipped this weekend, was in the bullpen Friday night and will be there again tonight. Tracy said he would only be used in relief in case of emergency. Ishii is scheduled to start Tuesday night against Arizona.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

OMAR DAAL

(10-6, 3.62 ERA)

vs.

ASTROS’

KIRK SAARLOOS

(6-3, 5.72 ERA)

Minute Maid Park, Houston, 5

TV--Channel 13.

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

Update--Daal has not given up more than two earned runs in his last seven starts, going 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA in that span. Saarloos, who reached the big leagues in only his second pro season, is 3-1 with a 4.88 ERA in five starts this month. The Dodgers began Friday’s game batting .267 with runners in scoring position and two out, the best mark in the major leagues.