Bradley Could Be Headed for the DL

Outfielder Milton Bradley apparently will not need surgery to repair his finger injury, but he might need some time on the disabled list. After an MRI exam Tuesday, doctors told him he had a slight tear of the ligaments in his right ring finger.

“It’s a rock climber’s injury,” Bradley said. “They’ve never seen a baseball player get it. It’s one of those years.”

Bradley felt pain in the finger during a swing on Sunday. Doctors put the finger in a brace for three days, after which Bradley will see whether he can swing without discomfort. If he cannot, Manager Jim Tracy indicated the Dodgers would put him on the disabled list. Bradley leads the team with 10 home runs and 35 runs scored.

In the first two months of the season, the Dodgers have put 11 players on the disabled list; five are still there.

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With no compelling alternative and no desire to risk losing a player on the 40-man roster to add a pitcher for what might be one start, the Dodgers decided Wilson Alvarez would start again on Saturday.

In his two starts, Alvarez is 0-2 with a 12.38 earned-run average, pitching three innings the first time and five the next. He has given up five home runs in those eight innings. In eight relief appearances, he has an 0.84 ERA.

Off days will allow the Dodgers to skip his spot again until June 18, by which time they hope Odalis Perez or Elmer Dessens can return from the disabled list. Dessens pitched a two-inning simulated game on Tuesday and said he hoped to start a rehabilitation assignment at triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday or Friday.

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Catcher Mike Rose, who has played for five organizations and 12 minor league teams during an 11-year minor league career, made his first major league start on Tuesday.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this,” he said.

He made his major league debut last September, batting twice for the Oakland Athletics and striking out both times. Rose, 28, said he has never lost faith in his ability or considered another career.

“You get to a certain point where you invest so much time in something, there’s no turning back,” he said.

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Shortstop Cesar Izturis said he is honored by being immortalized via bobblehead doll, tonight’s giveaway at Dodger Stadium.

“It doesn’t look like me,” he said, smiling broadly. “Big head.”