Nomo’s MRI Reveals Some Inflammation

Hideo Nomo will miss at least his next start after an MRI exam Wednesday revealed inflammation in his rotator cuff. Dodger officials say they believe the diagnosis is related to fatigue and should not sideline the 15-game winner for an extended period.

“That’s a whole lot better than finding an injury,” pitching coach Jim Colborn said. “It’s just overuse or tiredness.”

In a rare acknowledgment by the typically reserved right-hander, Nomo told Colborn on Monday after his last start -- a five-inning outing against Houston in which he gave up nine hits and four runs (two earned) -- that he felt a loss of zip on his fastball. He did not experience pain or feel weakness in his shoulder, however.

“A Japanese writer said it’s a little unusual Nomo would come to his coach and say something specific,” Colborn said. “In my experience with him, it is unusual. He doesn’t ever express any complaints.”

Colborn saluted Nomo’s forthrightness, calling it “the right thing to do.”

Wilson Alvarez is scheduled to take Nomo’s turn in the rotation Sunday against the Colorado Rockies. Colborn said he expects Nomo to throw a bullpen session Sunday, and if there are no setbacks, Nomo could make his next start Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Nomo (15-11) has pitched 200 1/3 innings this season and was on pace to challenge his personal record of 228 1/3 in 1996. Nomo has pitched at least 190 innings in each of the last four seasons, prompting Manager Jim Tracy to label him “a warrior.”

Nomo went 4-0 with a 3.32 earned-run average and 46 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings last September, but Colborn rejected the notion that the Dodgers couldn’t win the wild-card race without him.

“If you’re trying to imply that if he’s not here that we don’t have a chance,” Colborn said, “I’d say that’s the farthest thing from being the reality.”

Nomo declined to comment.

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Paul Lo Duca unveiled a hockey-type mask upon his return to the lineup after sitting out a game because of a sprained jaw. The catcher used the more cumbersome mask in an attempt to protect the area that was injured Monday when he took a foul ball off his regular mask.

Lo Duca tried the hockey mask in spring training and quickly discarded it.

“You have better vision with it, it’s just really heavy,” Lo Duca said. “I’m used to taking my mask off all the time, so I’m going to have to get used to that.

“You have to leave it on more often; you can’t just take it on and off.”

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Andy Ashby, who had recently complained about elbow soreness, also underwent an MRI exam that revealed inflammation in his ulnar nerve. He is expected to be unavailable for six or seven days.