Mueller’s Knee Injury Might Threaten Career

Bill Mueller’s season is in jeopardy -- and his career might be as well. The veteran third baseman is scheduled to be at Dodger Stadium today to have his right knee evaluated by the team’s medical personnel.

He has been at home in Phoenix rehabilitating from surgery on his right knee more than a month ago. It was his third surgery on the knee in three years and recovery has been slow.

Mueller, 35, has been working with physical therapist Brett Fischer, who helped him rehabilitate from the two previous surgeries to his right knee and one to his left knee.

Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston said Mueller has not responded well to treatment and that he is beginning therapy in a swimming pool to reduce the pressure on the knee. An injury expected to keep Mueller sidelined for a maximum of six weeks appears far more grave.

“He gets to a certain point in treatment and starts getting sore,” Johnston said. “He’s got degenerative, arthritic changes in his knee. There is cumulative damage from all the procedures.”

Could Mueller’s career be over?

“That’s still up in the air,” Johnston said.

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Upon further review, Jason Repko admits that trying to climb the center-field wall to catch a home run by Morgan Ensberg on May 9 was foolish. He has been out ever since with a severely sprained right ankle and isn’t eligible to play until after the All-Star break because he was moved to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for pitcher Chad Billingsley.

In the days after the injury, Repko refused to say he would temper his aggressive style. But it has dawned on him that mixing in some common sense might extend his career.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think about it,” he said. “When I’m chasing a ball and don’t have a clear path to it, I can shut it down. I’ve got to be smart. I want to play this game for a long time.”

Repko, who is batting .304 with three homers and eight stolen bases in 25 games, said he could begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment by July 1. He has been running a mile a day on a treadmill and began running on ground a couple days ago. He is taking batting practice with the team.

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Johnston, who is in his seventh season as Dodgers head trainer and 22nd season in the organization, was selected as one of two National League trainers for the All-Star game by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society.... Outfielder Ricky Ledee, out since May 2 because of a strained groin, could begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment early next week.