Test Shows Jackson’s Elbow Has No Damage

An MRI exam Monday of Edwin Jackson’s pitching elbow did not reveal structural damage, and the right-hander remained on schedule to make his next start.

Although Jackson still had minor discomfort from inflammation, the Dodgers said the 20-year-old rookie continued to improve since suffering a strained elbow in the second inning of the team’s 8-5 victory over the Angels on Saturday.

Jackson said his elbow felt fine after playing catch Monday. If all goes well in a bullpen session today, Jackson would start Thursday against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium.

“If he continues to be OK, he’ll obviously start his next game,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “Right now, I’m confident he’s going to.”

Jackson seemingly wasn’t as confident.

“I’m just taking it day by day,” said Jackson, 1-0 with a 4.05 earned-run average in two starts this season.

“Yeah, it’s feeling better, but I want to see what happens and not jump too far ahead of myself.

“Whatever it was really isn’t there now, it’s slowly going away. I just want to keep progressing and working my way up.”

If Jackson is unable to take his turn, Tracy said the Dodgers might turn to reliever Duaner Sanchez.

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Hideo Nomo is scheduled to begin tossing lightly this week, but Tracy reaffirmed Nomo would not return from the disabled list soon.

“I don’t see him pitching in the month of July,” Tracy said. “That’s not the plan we had for him. That’s rushing him back.”

The Dodgers put Nomo on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of inflammation of his right rotator cuff.

Nomo is 3-10 with an 8.06 ERA, and the Dodgers hope he returns to form after resting and following a strengthening program designed to increase his velocity.

If Nomo responds well after tossing Friday, he will repeat the activity Sunday.

The Dodgers also plan to have Nomo lift weights and do cardiovascular exercises. The pace of the program is expected to intensify after the All-Star break.

Nomo won’t return to the mound until the Dodgers determine his velocity and command have improved, Tracy said.

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Right fielder Juan Encarnacion did not play in his second consecutive game because of soreness in his left shoulder.

Team physician Frank Jobe examined Encarnacion, and the Dodgers were hopeful the problem would be solved with rest and treatment.

“It’s a day-to-day thing,” Tracy said. “We’ll see how he’s doing tomorrow.”

Although Encarnacion is batting only .240, he is second on the team with 12 home runs and 41 runs batted in.

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Catcher Paul Lo Duca sat out Monday’s game against Arizona because of soreness on his left hip.... Bob Knight, Texas Tech basketball coach, visited with Tracy and players for about 45 minutes before the game.