Werth May Be Out Two Weeks

A CT scan on the left wrist of outfielder Jayson Werth revealed a tiny fracture Thursday that will sideline him for up to two weeks.

Werth was hit on the left wrist by a pitch in the Grapefruit League opener Wednesday, and X-rays taken immediately after the game and Thursday were negative. But the CT scan showed a fracture.

Trainer Stan Johnston said Werth would not require a splint or a cast and would be able to throw and run while the injury heals.

Werth, 25, strained an abdominal muscle the second day of last season and spent two months on the disabled list. He came back to win a starting job and batted .262 with 16 home runs in 89 games.

*

Two springs ago, second baseman Joe Thurston was the next big thing, anointed by the Dodger front office and hailed by Manager Jim Tracy. Now he’s an afterthought.

Yet Thurston, 25, is not bitter. Not about stalling out in triple A. Not about being dropped from the 40-man roster. Not about the Dodgers’ signing Jeff Kent to play second the next two years.

“It’s easy to pout and be upset,” he said. “But that’s not the type of person I am. I prepare for the worst and expect the best.”

Thurston doubled, scored two runs and drove in another in two at-bats during a rain-shortened 9-8 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday at Holman Stadium. Hitting has rarely been his problem. He has batted .307 in 369 games at triple-A Las Vegas the last three years, service interrupted only by short stints with the Dodgers.

“I’ve handled much worse adversity,” he said. “I can deal with it in a positive way.”

*

The newest Dodger prospect at second base is Delwyn Young, a switch-hitter with power who was added to the 40-man roster. He smacked 22 home runs for Class-A Vero Beach last year and has 150 extra-base hits in 307 professional games.

Young, who is ticketed for double-A Jacksonville, cut his teeth working as a batboy for the Class-A Lancaster JetHawks. His father, Delwyn, was the team’s batting coach.

“He’s still my biggest critic and biggest follower,” Young said.

*

Jeff Weaver gave up four doubles and home runs to Brian Jordan and Andruw Jones in two innings Thursday, but he threw only fastballs and changeups. ... Derek Lowe will start today against the Braves at Kissimmee. ... Closer Eric Gagne is throwing a little more every day and said he expected to pitch in a game by March 18. Gagne suffered a mild knee sprain Feb. 24.