Nomo Throws to Hitters From Stretch

Hideo Nomo took a step Wednesday toward a possible return in September when he pitched to hitters for the first time since going on the disabled list July 1 because of inflammation in his right rotator cuff.

Nomo threw 34 pitches from the stretch off the mound with no problems. Manager Jim Tracy said the veteran right-hander would throw to hitters on Saturday and again next Wednesday when the Dodgers are in Cincinnati. The results were mixed but encouraging. He is not ready, however, for a minor-league rehabilitation assignment.

“I saw better velocity,” Tracy said. “I saw some very good splits. I saw a breaking ball that was erratic. He will do the same thing he did today with increased volume on Saturday.”

The plan is to have Nomo throw about 50 pitches in his next session in conditions more simulated to a regular game. He will throw some to batters, sit for a while, and then finish his session.

He will not pitch from the windup as the Dodgers do not want to risk any setback with his right shoulder.

“There’s less stress on his shoulder when he does it, which is the reason why he will continue to head in that direction,” Tracy said. “To pitch from the windup, you run the risk of weakening the shoulder to the point where you lose velocity and we march ourselves back into the same situation we had earlier in the season.”

Trainer Stan Johnston said he wanted to use caution before pushing Nomo.

“Our goal at the beginning of this rehab is to keep him in the stretch to prevent something happening to him,” Johnston said. “He hasn’t had any inflammation in the shoulder.”

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Outfielder Jayson Werth’s catch after crashing into the left-field wall to rob Jeromy Burnitz of a home run and preserve a victory over the Colorado Rockies last week took a greater toll than anyone knew.

After the pain failed to subside, Werth underwent a CT scan Wednesday and X-rays showed a hairline fracture in one of the ribs on his left side. Johnston prescribed medication for the injury and said the fracture should heal on its own.

With Shawn Green in right field Wednesday, Werth wasn’t in the starting lineup but entered the game in left field in the fifth inning. He says he feels pain only when he is chasing balls in the field.

“It’s a little fracture,” Werth said. “We know what it is and we can treat it accordingly.”

Meanwhile, Werth got in some work behind the plate catching Nomo before the game. Tracy said he wanted to assess whether Werth, drafted as a catcher by the Baltimore Orioles, was a viable option.

“It’s like riding a bike,” said Werth, who last caught regularly three years ago in the Toronto organization. “I don’t know how much I’ll be used or what they’ll use me there for or what the situation may be. If they call me to get back there, I don’t see a problem even though it’s been a long time.”

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Rookie right-hander Edwin Jackson reported no problem with his right forearm and expected to throw in another bullpen session Friday after throwing 60 pitches Tuesday.

Jackson said he was able to throw his full assortment of pitches without pain. He has been on the disabled list since July 17.

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Shortstop Cesar Izturis did not play Wednesday because of an infected big toe on his right foot caused by an ingrown nail. Tracy said he may be out until Friday against Philadelphia, but Izturis, who could not wear a shoe because of the swelling, said he expected to be back in the lineup for today’s game.