Ishii’s Return Goes on Hold

The Dodgers have pushed back Kazuhisa Ishii’s return from the disabled list because they don’t want the pitcher to risk further damage to his injured left knee.

Ishii, sidelined since July 30 because of a sprained medial collateral ligament, was tentatively scheduled to start Thursday against the Marlins, but left-hander Wilson Alvarez will pitch that day instead.

Ishii threw 38 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday but was still experiencing some pain when he pushed off the rubber. He will probably throw another bullpen session Wednesday but won’t return to the rotation until next week at the earliest.

“He’s improved, but he’s still not to the point where he’s totally comfortable,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “It’s just not completely right. It’s not strong enough yet, and we don’t want him to alter his mechanics and compound the situation.”

Dodger trainer Stan Johnston said Ishii’s knee “is not getting worse, it’s getting better, but we’d rather be cautious. We don’t want him to risk injury by coming back too soon.”

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When Dontrelle Willis, Florida’s starting pitcher Monday night, was born on Jan. 12, 1982, Dodger leadoff batter Rickey Henderson, 44, had already played in 355 major league games, with 1,365 at-bats, 410 hits, 16 home runs, 114 runs batted in and 189 stolen bases.

“I’m trying to get him, I’m not thinking about his age,” said Henderson, who walked twice in two at-bats against Willis and reached base four of five times in the Dodgers’ 9-3 victory. “He was a kid when I was playing ball, and I’m glad he’s doing well. He has a good future. He just has to keep learning.”

Willis grew up in Oakland, where Henderson, also an Oakland native, played 13 of his first 18 big league seasons.

“He’s from my neck of the woods,” Henderson said. “I was probably his idol growing up.”

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Dodger first baseman Paul Lo Duca didn’t make ESPN’s “Web Gems” segment Monday night, but he could wind up in the next baseball bloopers reel.

While drifting toward foul territory for Juan Encarnacion’s popup in the seventh inning, Lo Duca tripped over the bag and fell flat on his face near the first base coach’s box. But Lo Duca was able to scramble to his feet and make the catch before breaking into a grin.

“I was more embarrassed than anything else,” Lo Duca said, “but at least I got up and caught it.”

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Dodger first baseman Fred McGriff, sidelined since July 4 because of injuries to his left groin and right knee, went 0 for 3 with a walk for Class-A Vero Beach in the first of a three-game minor league rehabilitation stint Monday. McGriff will play for Vero Beach again tonight and for the rookie league Gulf Coast Dodgers on Wednesday and is tentatively scheduled to join the Dodgers for Thursday’s game.

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Dodger closer Eric Gagne, who saved four games last week and set a major league record with his 39th consecutive save to start the season, was named National League player of the week Monday .... Pitcher Joel Hanrahan, considered a top Dodger prospect, was promoted from double-A Jacksonville.