Lowe Says He Takes ADD Drug

Pitcher Derek Lowe revealed in a divorce deposition that he has taken medication to treat adult attention deficit disorder for three years, although he said he had never seen a Dodger physician for the problem.

The Dodgers, however, said that Lowe was evaluated by team psychiatrist Herndon Harding and that the medication was prescribed by team physician Michael Mellman because Harding practices in Florida.

The medication Lowe is taking, Adderall, is banned by Major League Baseball because it is an amphetamine. However, he has received a “therapeutic exemption” and is allowed to take it, according to an official in the commissioner’s office.

The deposition, first reported on the website ronfineman.com, was obtained by The Times. Lowe and his wife, Trinka, are divorcing and depositions were taken in Florida, where they resided for many years.

Lowe refused to comment about the medication, but he gave the Dodgers permission to comment about his treatment. He says in the deposition that trainer Stan Johnston gives him 20 milligrams of Adderall every day.

Lowe testified that three years ago when he was pitching for the Boston Red Sox, he went to team physician Bill Morgan and described his symptoms.

“Can’t concentrate, loss of focus,” Lowe said. “For starters in my profession, it’s pretty important to have that.”

Morgan prescribed Ritalin, which like Adderall is widely used to calm people afflicted with ADD.

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The Dodgers have asked Cesar Izturis to add the outfield to his list of duties when he returns from the disabled list, a request that drew a lukewarm reaction from the Gold Glove shortstop.

“I was shocked a little bit,” he said. “I didn’t say yes and I didn’t say no.”

The idea came from General Manager Ned Colletti, who is seeking ways to utilize Izturis when he recovers from elbow surgery. Izturis was the Dodger shortstop from 2002 through 2005, but Rafael Furcal was signed to a three-year contract during the off-season.

Colletti would like the switch-hitting Izturis to be an option in center field on days 38-year-old Kenny Lofton needs a rest. Manager Grady Little said Izturis could be used at shortstop, second base or the outfield, depending on the health of other players.

Izturis doesn’t want to become a utility player just yet, especially when he is so proficient at a premium position. But he’s willing to get through this season any way he can.

“I’m going to get my arm ready and then decide what to do,” he said. “I believe it would take some work.”

Little said Izturis could begin playing in minor league games as soon as April 22 and could rejoin the Dodgers by mid-May.

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Closer Eric Gagne began serving a two-game suspension Tuesday, dropping an appeal he filed last season. He is being punished for arguing balls and strikes from the dugout when he was on the disabled list when he shouldn’t have been in the dugout at all.

Gagne said the fact that the Dodgers kept 12 pitchers and a weather forecast that could result in rainouts today and over the weekend in Philadelphia figured into his decision. He had an MRI exam Tuesday on his elbow and the results were encouraging.

In addition to missing two games, he will pay an undisclosed fine.

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Dodger officials said because of the rain, fans with tickets to Tuesday’s game can also redeem them for games either May 10 or May 22.