Vicente Padilla stars as Dodgers run it up against Padres, 9-0
On the field, everything was fine, Vicente Padilla taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning and pitching a complete game, the offense showing signs of life and the Dodgers charging to a 9-0 victory over the first-place San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Off the field, there was about as much concern as there was relief on it, as an MRI exam revealed that Russell Martin has a labral tear in his right hip.
For the time being, Martin was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
But the Dodgers could not rule out the possibility that Martin’s season might be over. And if his season is over, his days as the Dodgers’ catcher might be too.
At very least, Martin will be on crutches for three weeks, according to trainer Stan Conte.
“We know we’re in it for the long haul,” Manager Joe Torre said. “It’s far beyond the two-week disabled list at this point in time. We’re not really looking for him to come back to help us any time soon.”
Martin, who was hurt when he didn’t slide into home plate and took an awkward step as he ran by Padres catcher Nick Hundley on Tuesday night, is scheduled to undergo a CT scan Thursday and will consult top hip specialists from around the country in coming days.
“They’re not saying he’s going to need surgery, they’re not saying he’s not,” said Martin’s agent, Matt Colleran. “That’s not going to be decided until he meets with those people.”
With Martin out, catching duties fell on 41-year-old Brad Ausmus, who said last month that this season would be his last.
Ausmus called the brilliant game pitched by Padilla, who didn’t give up a hit until Ryan Ludwick singled to right with one out in the seventh inning. For Padilla, the complete-game shutout was his first since April 27, 2008.
Facing Padres starter Wade LeBlanc, the Dodgers scored more runs than they had in any game since the All-Star break.
A two-run single by Scott Podsednik capped a three-run second inning for the Dodgers, who added another run in the third on a double by Ronnie Belliard to increase their lead to 4-0.
The Dodgers scored five more runs in the eighth inning, the last two on Andre Ethier’s 17th home run. Ethier was three for five with two doubles.
As for Martin, the decision on surgery should come in the next couple of days, Conte said. Surgery would probably end Martin’s season.
“We’re hoping that this is a nonsurgical situation,” Conte said.
Even before he was injured, Martin’s future with the Dodgers was uncertain.
As an arbitration-eligible player, Martin signed a one-year, $5.05-million contract last winter.
Martin was an All-Star in each of his first two full seasons in the majors, but his production had declined in recent years.
He batted .250 with seven home runs and 53 runs batted in last season. He is hitting .248 with five home runs and 26 RBIs this season.
Part of that could be due to his heavy workload. Martin caught 449 games from 2007-09 and 97 games this year.
With Martin figuring to be in line for another raise, the Dodgers will have to decide this winter if he is worth a salary of $6 million or so. If they don’t tender him a contract, he will be a free agent at the age of 27.
Martin’s best chance of returning could be for him and the Dodgers to settle on a contract before the tender date. That way, the Dodgers would have Martin signed at a set figure, eliminating the possibility of his salary being decided in an arbitration hearing.
Clicking on Green Links will take you to a third-party e-commerce site. These sites are not operated by the Los Angeles Times. The Times Editorial staff is not involved in any way with Green Links or with these third-party sites.
Are you a true-blue fan?
Get our Dodgers Dugout newsletter for insights, news and much more.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
