Penny Possible for April 19

Right-hander Brad Penny could be on pace to make his first start April 19 at Milwaukee, but his recovery from a biceps nerve injury has been so deliberate that nobody is making any promises.

“We’d love for that to be the case,” General Manager Paul DePodesta said. “It’s still a possibility.”

Penny threw a bullpen session in Vero Beach, Fla., Tuesday and is scheduled to pitch against Dodger minor leaguers in a simulated game Friday. His pitch count will be about 70, bumped up from the 58 pitches he threw Sunday.

If everything goes well, Penny will pitch in a minor league game next Wednesday.

“He’s on a five-day rotation,” DePodesta said. “He could have just a couple rehab starts, or it could be four or five.”

April 19 is a target date because it will be the second time the No. 5 starter will be needed.

Three other Dodgers on the disabled list made less progress.

Closer Eric Gagne has not thrown a ball since being diagnosed with a sprained elbow Thursday. There is reduced swelling, but the Dodgers have no idea how long he will be sidelined.

Left-hander Wilson Alvarez, who has shoulder tendinitis, threw batting practice on flat ground Tuesday and will throw from a mound today.

Left fielder Jayson Werth, out since March 2 because of a broken wrist, has not swung a bat since hitting a ball off a tee more than a week ago.

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After an off-season that included two knee operations and the San Francisco Chronicle report of his grand jury testimony in a federal investigation of steroid distribution, Barry Bonds received a soothing welcome home -- a two-minute standing ovation in pregame introductions.

“He’s the greatest player of all time,” Giant pitcher Jason Schmidt said. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Bonds doffed his cap, waved to the crowd, buried his head in his hands and bowed and finally rolled one hand over another, as if to indicate it was time for the introductions to continue.

He also was presented with his National League most-valuable-player award, after which he addressed the crowd briefly, thanking his family, God and the San Francisco fans, in that order. He paused, then concluded by raising his voice and declaring, “I will be back!”

Bonds said in spring training that he might sit out much -- if not all -- of the season, but the Giants hope he can return as soon as May.

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Feeding more than 50 people is something like a hit-and-run play -- it’s all in the execution. The problem with the team and staff meal hosted by Dodger owner Frank McCourt at a local steakhouse Monday night was that, predictably, it took a long time to serve everyone.

Some players didn’t finish eating until nearly 11 p.m. With a 1 p.m. game looming Tuesday, several players privately complained that it was past their bedtime.

Others, however, appreciated the gesture from McCourt.

“He wanted us to get together and feel like a family,” third baseman Jose Valentin said. “There are a bunch of new guys. We are getting together and getting to know one another.”

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Veteran pop artist Huey Lewis, who sang the national anthem, abhors the trend of hit music blaring loudly at ballparks.

“I say, no recorded music,” he said. “Let’s listen to the murmur of the crowd and the vendors yelling and the crack of the bat.

“It’s a wonderful sound. You don’t get that anywhere else. You get recorded music everywhere. Look at what it’s done for the NBA, for God’s sake.”

Lewis also said players should not be permitted to select a personal song to accompany their introduction.

“Why would you let ballplayers choose the song? You wouldn’t let me choose the ballplayers,” he said.