Bradley Is Placed on the DL

Still unable to grip a bat, outfielder Milton Bradley was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday (retroactive to Monday) because of a torn ligament in his right ring finger, and rookie outfielder Jason Repko was recalled from triple-A Las Vegas to take Bradley’s spot on the roster.

The Dodgers had prepared to make the move when Bradley suffered the injury in Sunday’s 6-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark, but hoped his finger would heal enough during the week to keep him on the active roster.

But Bradley’s inability Friday to participate in baseball activity, designed to help team medical personnel gauge his recovery, prompted the moves. The switch-hitter has been among the team’s most productive players, batting .298 with 10 home runs, 26 runs batted in and 35 runs scored, and Manager Jim Tracy is eager for Bradley to return to the lineup.

“Even squeezing the bat right now is not something he’s capable of doing at this point,” Tracy said. “He can’t really get the ring finger on the right hand down on to the handle of the bat, so to even think about venturing down into the cage and trying to swing is not even feasible.”

Repko started in left field and batted second Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium.

He rejoined the team after having been optioned to Las Vegas on May 25 when outfielder Jayson Werth was activated from the disabled list. In eight games for the 51s, Repko batted .387 with three homers and six RBIs.

Bradley could be activated June 14 for the start of a 13-game trip that begins in Kansas City.

“We’re going to give him the time that he needs,” Tracy said. “Not only to get the hand right, but to give him some opportunities to do some swinging and get some batting practice, over a few days in a row, and get comfortable again.”

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Pitcher Elmer Dessens (bone spurs in his shoulder) gave up two hits and one run in an inning in the first game of his rehabilitation assignment at Las Vegas. ... Pitcher Wilson Alvarez (shoulder tendinitis) played catch and said his shoulder felt better, Tracy said. The Dodgers hope the left-hander will be available to pitch in relief Sunday against Milwaukee. ... Pitcher Odalis Perez (shoulder soreness) requested to reschedule his bullpen session from Friday to today, Tracy said.

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DODGERS TONIGHT

DODGERS’

D.J. HOULTON

vs.

BREWERS’

VICTOR SANTOS

*--* THE MATCHUP 2005 2005 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA Milwaukee/Santos (R) 2-4 2.73 3-7 -- -- -- DODGERS/Houlton (R) 0-0 7.41 0-0 0-0 1.0 0.00

*--*

Dodger Stadium, 7

TV -- FSN West 2. Radio -- 980, 1330.

Update --Houlton, a rookie right-hander, is making his first major league start. He started 87 games in four seasons in the minor leagues. Santos is 0-2 with a 15.87 earned-run average against the Dodgers.

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-- Jason Reid