Bradley, Ledee Coming Along

A team anxiously awaiting an encouraging dispatch from the trainer’s room back home got a double dose.

Outfielder Milton Bradley felt no pain in his injured finger after taking 35 swings against soft toss, and outfielder Ricky Ledee reported that his left hamstring was fine after running full speed around the bases.

Ledee, out since June 5, is expected to be activated before the first game of a series against Houston on Friday, although he would be used only as a pinch-hitter or defensive replacement until after the All-Star break.

Bradley, out since May 30 because of a torn ligament in the ring finger of his right hand, is still weeks away from a return and probably will require a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

“It’s progress, no question,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “It’s the first time he’s hit soft toss without feeling discomfort.

“But you’d have to hear that over the course of several days to feel comfortable moving forward with him.”

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Tracy had lunch with a longtime avid Dodger fan who brought with him baseball cards from the Chicago Cub teams Tracy played on and talked about the Dodger memorabilia in his office.

But what made the visit most interesting is that the fan was Colorado Gov. Bill Owens.

“He’s not only a huge Dodger fan, he’s a huge baseball fan,” Tracy said.

Owens didn’t say what he might be able to do to help attract more fans to Coors Field, which has seen a steep drop in attendance in recent years.

“He did speak highly of the young players on the Rockies and the future of the club,” Tracy said.

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Left-hander Wilson Alvarez (shoulder) will make his second triple-A rehab appearance Friday and could be activated shortly after the All-Star break.... Third baseman Jose Valentin (knee) will take live batting practice for the first time since his injury today or Friday.... Rookie shortstop Oscar Robles is 13 for 28 since replacing Cesar Izturis and has a seven-game hitting streak.... Right-hander Scott Erickson, banished to the bullpen after several shaky starts in a row, has given up one earned run in his last 7 2/3 innings.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Minimum ball?

Salaries of the Dodgers’ position players for Wednesday night’s game against Colorado. Brad Penny, the Dodgers’ starting pitcher, makes more money ($5.1 million this year) than the position players combined. Major League Baseball’s minimum salary is $316,000.

* 1. Oscar Robles...$316,000

* 2. Mike Edwards...$316,000

* 3. Jayson Werth... $337,000

* 4. Hee-Seop Choi... $351,500

* 5. Antonio Perez...$320,500

* 6. Jason Phillips...$339,000

* 7. Jason Grabowski...$327,000

* 8. Jason Repko...$316,000