Moving Team Forward Is Important to Tracy

In the previous two days, owner Frank McCourt and General Manager Paul DePodesta shouldered their shares of the blame for the Dodgers’ consistently inconsistent season while absolving Manager Jim Tracy.

And while Tracy would not admit to breathing more easily over the votes of confidence, he did allow for some reflection.

“It’s very flattering, when you get right down to it,” Tracy said Saturday afternoon.

“[But] I don’t look at it that way. The important thing, rather than feeling like somebody has to feel bad about accepting responsibility, is moving forward. How do we go forward? Not hurling spears at one another.”

Tracy said he should be held accountable for the progress of the young players on the club and the effort given on the field, among other things.

“I am responsible for that,” he said. “As I should be.”

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While Milton Bradley had the second opinion on his injured left knee by Timothy Kremchek in Cincinnati on Friday, Tracy said the only word he had on the examination was what he read in a published report. It quoted Kremchek as agreeing with Frank Jobe, who diagnosed an 80% tear of Bradley’s anterior cruciate ligament and a need for season-ending surgery.

“I know nothing more than that,” Tracy said.

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Tracy stopped short of saying demoted closer Yhency Brazoban, who converted a club rookie record 21 of 25 save opportunities but compiled a 5.82 earned-run average and 2-7 record, would not regain his job this season. But with Duaner Sanchez converting all three of his save opportunities and getting more comfortable with every appearance, the implication was clear.

“Confidence level is a huge issue,” Tracy said. “I’m looking for an opportunity to have Yhency Brazoban, by season’s end, on a real high note.”

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Shortstop Cesar Izturis, who has a stiff lower back, could be placed on the 15-day day disabled list today. If so, it would be retroactive to Tuesday, meaning he would be eligible to play again Sept. 7. Rosters expand from 25 to 40 on Thursday.

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Wilson Alvarez, on the disabled list since Aug. 7 with a sore left (pitching) shoulder, played catch on flat ground Saturday for the first time since going on the DL.

“It feels fine,” said Alvarez, 35, who plans on retiring after the season. “It was just soft toss. Sometime next week I’ll throw a bullpen [workout] and let it go. Then I’ll tell you if it feels good or not.”

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J.D. Drew, who suffered a broken left wrist when he was hit by a pitch July 3, has been making progress in his rehab by taking swings off a tee and shagging balls in batting practice, but Tracy does not expect the outfielder to join the team on its six-game trip this week to Chicago and Colorado.