As Opener Gets Closer, Gagne Still Not Ready

Eric Gagne received a cortisone injection in his sprained left knee Thursday, further delaying his spring debut but not yet prompting the Dodgers to consider that their closer might not be ready on opening day.

“That’s not even a point of discussion,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “It has not even been whispered in here.”

Gagne is halfway through what doctors told him would be a six-week healing period, one that would extend into the first week of the season. The anti-inflammatory injection followed recurrent irritation in the injured knee.

“It’s not healing as fast as I thought it would,” Gagne said.

He has thrown off a mound twice, experiencing discomfort in the knee each time and forcing coaches to watch closely so he does not cause another injury by altering his delivery to favor the knee. Gagne said he could pitch through pain and said it could “maybe” linger through the season.

“It’s more mental than anything,” Gagne said. “It’s not like it’s a sharp pain, but it’s there.”

Gagne now plans to make his spring debut Monday, two weeks before the opener.

“All I need is four or five appearances,” he said. “My arm is fine.”

Yhency Brazoban, who made his major league debut in August and replaced Guillermo Mota as Gagne’s setup man, could fill in as closer if necessary.

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Gagne and prospect Russell Martin attended the same Montreal high school, but the Expos’ move to Washington dashed Martin’s hope of playing a major league game in his hometown.

“That dream is gone,” Martin said. “My next goal is to catch Eric Gagne in Dodger Stadium.”

That day might not be far away. Martin was sent to minor league camp Thursday but served notice that he -- and not the more advanced Dioner Navarro -- might be the catcher of the future.

Martin, 22, has caught more innings than Navarro or incumbent David Ross, batting .333 with no strikeouts. He played at Class-A Vero Beach last season.

“He’s a future major league player,” Tracy said. “The future, for all we know, could be a heck of a lot sooner than later.”

Martin is expected to start the season at double-A Jacksonville. The Dodgers also sent pitcher Franquelis Osoria and infielders Willy Aybar and Brian Myrow to minor league camp.

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The Dodgers were rained out Thursday, for the third time in nine days. Today, on the only day off this spring, Ross and pitchers Wilson Alvarez and Kazuhisa Ishii will make up for lost playing time by participating alongside minor leaguers. ... Outfielder Jayson Werth reported lingering soreness and swelling in his fractured left wrist, but an MRI exam and CT scan showed continued healing. If he cannot resume batting practice by the middle of next week, he probably will start the season on the disabled list. ... Leadoff batter Cesar Izturis has no walks and a .167 on-base percentage this spring. First baseman Hee-Seop Choi has more walks (six) than hits (five).