Dreifort Has Bursitis in Right Knee

An MRI test on pitcher Darren Dreifort’s right knee Wednesday was inconclusive, and after being examined by Dr. Frank Jobe, Dodger team physician, the right-hander was diagnosed with bursitis.

Dreifort, who has undergone two arthroscopic operations on his right knee and is rehabilitating from major elbow surgery, received a cortisone shot Wednesday, and he will resume throwing lightly in the bullpen Friday.

If Dreifort doesn’t feel any discomfort, Dodger trainer Stan Johnston said he will able to resume throwing simulated games, the final step before going on a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

“This isn’t really good news--we wish it didn’t happen,” Johnston said. “But this is a pretty small problem.”

Kevin Brown, recovering from June 11 surgery for a herniated disk in his lower back, threw 61 pitches in the Dodger Stadium bullpen Wednesday and will throw again in the bullpen Friday.

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Pitcher Odalis Perez received permission from the Dodgers to travel home to the Dominican Republic to tend to a family matter, and the left-hander will rejoin the team Tuesday in Cincinnati.

Perez’s absence will not affect the Dodger rotation, though, because the team had planned to use off days today and Monday to skip Perez’s next start, giving the fatigued pitcher nine days before his next game against the Reds next Thursday.

One condition of granting Perez a leave of absence was that he complete two bullpen workouts at the Dodgers’ academy in the Dominican.

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To clear room on their 25-man roster for newly acquired Tyler Houston, the Dodgers are expected to designate reserve outfielder Hiram Bocachica for assignment Friday, meaning recently recalled Mike Kinkade will remain with the team.

The Dodgers would have 10 days to either trade Bocachica, send him to triple-A Las Vegas if he clears waivers, or release him. The Detroit Tigers have expressed considerable interest in Bocachica, and it’s likely they will trade for him or claim him.

Bocachica is hitting .215 with four homers and nine runs batted in, but Kinkade, promoted from Las Vegas on Sunday, had two hits and an RBI in his first start Monday night and has impressed the Dodgers with his offensive approach.

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After Tuesday’s trade for Houston, General Manager Dan Evans has turned his attention to the bullpen. Toronto right-hander Kelvim Escobar, who is 5-4 with a 4.69 earned-run average and 19 saves, was at the top of the Dodgers’ list, but the Blue Jays don’t seem as motivated to trade him as they do several other players.

Evans has discussed possible trades for Pittsburgh left-hander Scott Sauerbeck, who is 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA in 50 games and has limited left-handers to a .148 average, and Cleveland left-hander Ricardo Rincon, who is 1-4 with a 4.59 ERA in 43 games and has held left-handers to a .230 average.

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Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek returned to the lineup Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday night’s game because of a strained lower back. He went hitless in four at-bats but said he experienced no tightness or stiffness in the back.... Padre starter Bobby Jones did not walk a batter Wednesday, extending his string of consecutive innings without a walk to 25 2/3.