Concussion Still Bothering Clark
Batting instructor Jack Clark missed his second game in four nights Thursday after undergoing another examination.
Clark, who suffered a concussion in a March 30 motorcycle accident, continues to experience dizziness and becomes tired quickly, team medical personnel said. Clark has not received medical clearance to join the team Monday on a trip to New York and Montreal.
“He’s able to come to the park, but traveling is a step beyond that,” said team physician Michael Mellman, who will decide Clark’s travel status this weekend.
“I’ll tell him he can go if he’s perfect [today], but he’s not going to be. We don’t have to make a decision now, so we’ll just see where he is over the next few days.”
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Odalis Perez said he could use an extra day’s rest after throwing 132 pitches in Wednesday’s 4-0 victory over Philadelphia, and that’s what he’ll get.
With the club off Monday, Manager Jim Tracy aligned the rotation to give every starter five days’ rest before a three-game series against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. Perez will start the opener Tuesday.
“I’m sore, stiff today, but that’s normal after you go 132 pitches,” said Perez, who had 11 strikeouts in 8 2/3 scoreless innings. “That’s a lot of pitches, but I’ve got five days, so that’ll be a long time for me.
“Today, I feel like I don’t want to pick up a ball, but I’ve got to get used to it. That’s what I’m going to have to do in my career.”
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Reserve infielder-outfielder Daryle Ward, suffering from a tooth infection, is scheduled to have his wisdom teeth removed Monday and rejoin the club Tuesday.
“I don’t really like to go to dentists, but I’ve got to do something about the pain,” said the four-year veteran. “It’s been pretty bad since we were in Pittsburgh last week, but I just decided to suck it up with so many guys out. Now, I’ve got to take care of it.”
Ward, taking antibiotics and pain medication, had hoped to accompany the Dodgers to New York after undergoing oral surgery. However, team physicians denied the request because he needs recovery time after being sedated.
Center fielder Dave Roberts plans to return to the lineup tonight against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“It feels pretty good,” he said of the strained right hamstring that has sidelined him six games. “I really don’t feel anything at all in there anymore, but we’re just going to take one more day to make sure. It definitely looks like tomorrow.”
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Reserve infielder-outfielder Mike Kinkade, who has a sprained right wrist, was not available Thursday, Tracy said.
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ON DECK
Opponent -- Pittsburgh Pirates, three games.
Site -- Dodger Stadium.
Tonight -- 7.
TV -- Fox Sports Net 2 tonight, Channel 13 on Saturday and Sunday.
Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).
Record vs. Pirates -- 3-0.
Saturday, 7 p.m. -- Darren Dreifort (1-3, 3.77) vs. Jeff Suppan (4-1, 1.89).
Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Kevin Brown (2-1, 3.22) vs. Jeff D’Amico (2-2, 3.62).