Another Injury Sidelines Hundley

Reserve catcher Todd Hundley suffered another setback while rehabilitating from his second back surgery in six months and might miss all of spring training, the Dodgers said Wednesday.

Hundley had surgery Nov. 25 to repair a small disk he herniated after initially undergoing surgery for the problem June 5, Manager Jim Tracy said. He subsequently experienced back pain and was instructed to suspend his rehabilitation program.

He did not report with pitchers and catchers and is scheduled to be examined March 1 by specialist Robert Watkins, who performed both procedures.

Dodger physical therapist Pat Screnar said it was “definitely remote” that Hundley could participate in the early part of spring training but declined to give a timetable for the 13-year veteran’s return until Watkins completes his examination.

“Some people just have a reoccurrence,” Screnar said. “It’s not common, but it’s occasionally seen.”

Hundley played in 21 games while sidelined most of last season because of his back problem. He batted .182 with two home runs and 11 runs batted in during his second stint with the Dodgers after being reacquired from the Chicago Cubs for first baseman Eric Karros and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.

Hundley, 34, is guaranteed $6.5 million this season. If he made the team out of spring training, he was expected to be the third-string catcher behind starter Paul Lo Duca and David Ross, who impressed at times in a limited role last season.

Screnar acknowledged Hundley’s latest back injury could be career threatening.

“Obviously, the second surgery impacts his recovery,” Screnar said.

“It’s certainly not impossible, but it does make [returning] more difficult.”

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The Dodgers and All-Star closer Eric Gagne went to arbitration in Phoenix, and a three-person panel is expected to rule today.

“The hearing was handled professionally, but you never know what to expect in arbitration,” said agent Scott Boras, who argued Gagne should be awarded a salary of $8 million instead of the Dodger offer of $5 million.

“It is litigation, and you’re never sure of the outcome in litigation. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

New Dodger General Manager Paul DePodesta received a report from his assistants who attended the hearing.

“It was professional and classy,” he said. “They certainly weren’t trying to tear him down.

“He was the most dominant pitcher in the National League last year, so it certainly wouldn’t have been an ideal scenario for me to sit across the table from him and introduce myself to him.

“Either way, it doesn’t bother me which way it comes out, I just want to move forward.”