Penny Is Sharp in First Rehab Start

There are growing indications that Brad Penny is ready to take the ball and pitch the way he did in his only Dodger start before suffering a biceps nerve injury.

His line that August day against the Pittsburgh Pirates: eight innings, two hits and no runs given up.

His line Wednesday pitching for the Class-A Vero Beach Dodgers against the St. Louis Cardinals’ Florida State League affiliate: five innings, two hits and one run given up.

Penny’s first rehabilitation start against an opposing team was described by Dodger Manager Jim Tracy as “outstanding.” He threw 58 pitches and his velocity increased from an average of 91 mph early in the game to 94 mph by the fifth inning. The hardest he threw was 96 mph.

Penny then went to the bullpen and threw 12 pitches to increase the total to 70.

“He got stronger as the game went on and had command of all his pitches,” Tracy said.

Penny, whose recovery from a biceps nerve injury is going on eight months, is not taking the first flight to Los Angeles, however. He will pitch in a minor league game Monday, hiking his pitch count to about 80.

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Left-hander Wilson Alvarez, who also is in Florida rehabilitating from an injury, threw 25 pitches to Dodger minor leaguers and was described by Tracy as not sharp.

Before Alvarez comes off the disabled list, the Dodgers want him to appear in at least three minor league games, building his pitch count to the point where he can be used as a spot starter or reliever.

Alvarez, 35, has had shoulder tendinitis since mid-March.

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Reliever Giovanni Carrara pitched Tuesday without fear of re-injuring his hamstring, and the resulting two scoreless innings became crucial when the Dodgers rallied with four runs in the ninth inning.

Carrara pulled a hamstring when he slipped while fielding a bunt on opening day. He was held out until Saturday, when he was asked to pitch the 11th inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks after the Dodgers took a four-run lead.

He gave up three hits and two runs before giving way to rookie Steve Schmoll, who notched the save.

“I was afraid I would pull the hamstring again,” Carrara said. “I wasn’t doing my job. [Tuesday] I didn’t have those thoughts. I just went out there and pitched.”

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Left-handed reliever Frank Brooks, who was designated for assignment when Norihiro Nakamura was promoted from triple A, was claimed on waivers by Atlanta.