Green Sits Because of Groin Injury

On second thought, the Dodgers decided Shawn Green should not play Friday night against the San Francisco Giants.

The first baseman and cleanup batter was scratched from the starting lineup after experiencing tightness in his strained right groin, which he suffered in Thursday’s 7-5 victory over San Diego, while jogging at SBC Park before batting practice.

Green was eager to start as the archrivals met for the first time this season, but team trainer Stan Johnston recommended that Green proceed cautiously.

“Stan kind of felt it would be best to take a day, and I agreed,” Green said. “I felt OK hitting in the cage, but then it was tight when I was jogging.

“It’s better to take a day and probably get some benefit from it, rather than push it and really injure it. I wanted to be out there, but this makes sense.”

Green was the Dodgers’ hottest hitter in their previous series against San Diego, going seven for 10 with seven runs, a home run and two runs batted in. Robin Ventura took Green’s spot at first base and in the batting order.

“If it was a different situation, if it was later in the season, I’d probably be out there,” said Green, who received therapy. “But at this point of the season, instead of pushing it, we’ll take a day and hope to get out there tomorrow.”

Manager Jim Tracy said he wouldn’t take chances with Green.

“We cannot run the risk of losing this guy for an extended period of time,” Tracy said.

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Catcher Paul Lo Duca said he believed that starter Hideo Nomo was close to regaining his form of last season after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery.

Lo Duca said he observed many encouraging signs in the fifth inning Thursday as Nomo’s velocity improved.

“He’s struggling a little with his timing right now while trying to get back to where he was,” Lo Duca said. “But that last inning, he threw a couple of fastballs at 88, 90 [mph]. He made some big pitches when he had to.

“I looked at him and he looked back at me and said, ‘My timing finally got there.’ I really look for him to throw lights out the next time out.”