A Rib Injury Keeps Werth Out of Lineup

Jayson Werth, who played in pain for most of the Dodgers’ 7-3 loss to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night after aggravating a rib injury diving for a fly ball in the first inning, was out of the lineup Thursday.

X-rays and a CT scan were negative, but Werth said it hurt to run and throw.

“There’s a movement that those muscles don’t like,” the outfielder said. “It bites, especially throwing.”

Werth originally injured a few ribs July 29 in Denver when he slammed into the outfield wall at Coors Field while making a catch.

Werth took muscle relaxers Thursday and said he hoped to be back in the lineup tonight when the Dodgers open a three-game series at Colorado. Jose Hernandez replaced Werth in left field Thursday.

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Showing no ill effects from soreness in his left side and in his left foot that had kept him out of the lineup Wednesday, Adrian Beltre made a dazzling play on Adam Eaton’s slow roller on the infield grass Thursday.

The third baseman charged the ball, picked it up with his right hand and fired a perfect throw to first baseman Shawn Green to get Eaton in the third inning.

Dodger Manager Jim Tracy acknowledged that Beltre, who had injured his side in batting practice Tuesday, was less than 100% but said the MVP candidate was “capable enough to be able to do some things at a very important time of the year.”

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The Dodgers will not be able to make good on owner Frank McCourt’s preseason pledge to televise every game for the first time in franchise history. The Dodger-Colorado game Saturday, scheduled for a noon start, was not selected by Fox for its national broadcast and cannot be televised by a local affiliate.... Phil Jackson met with Tracy and addressed the Dodgers before the game. Tracy, a longtime admirer of the coach who guided the Lakers and Chicago Bulls to nine NBA championships, called Jackson “a pretty interesting guy to meet this time of year.”

ON DECK

Opponent -- Colorado Rockies, three games.

Site -- Coors Field.

TV -- Channel 13 tonight and Sunday.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Dodgers 84-62, Rockies 63-83.

Record vs. Rockies -- 6-6.

Tonight, 6 PDT -- Hideo Nomo (4-11, 7.73) vs. Jamey Wright (2-2, 4.13).

Saturday, noon -- Odalis Perez (6-5, 3.41) vs. Joe Kennedy (8-6, 3.57).

Sunday, noon -- Jose Lima (13-5, 4.06) vs. Jason Jennings (11-11, 5.77).