Rehabbing players hope to rejoin parent club soon

Nick Christensen

Monday, July 18, 2005 | 9:24 a.m.

LOS ANGELES - Three Los Angeles Dodgers continue rehabilitation assignments at Triple-A into the Las Vegas 51s' upcoming 10-game roadtrip, with pitcher Wilson Alvarez set to be called up Tuesday barring a relapse of his tendonitis.

Outfielder Milton Bradley, out since May 30 with a torn ligament in his ring finger, went 1-for-5 in two games with Las Vegas last weekend. He returned to Los Angeles on Sunday to get more of his gear and will rejoin the team in cool Colorado Springs on today.

"I feel fine," he said. "I really just want to get through games against a righty, get some left-handed at-bats. Once I get that, I want to meet the team in New York if possible."

Bradley batted right-handed in both games against Tucson at Cashman Field. The Dodgers travel to New York on Friday.

Meanwhile, third baseman Jose Valentin, out since May 4 with torn ligaments in his right knee, went 1-for-2 in Sunday's 11-4 loss to Tucson at Cashman Field. He committed one fielding error.

"I've been running for two weeks already," he said Saturday before leaving for Las Vegas. "The last week I was running the bases, doing some laterals, some pushes, going side-to-side. All I have left is to test it in a game, get in game shape, get my timing back facing pitching."

He said his rehabilitation assignment is for 20 days, but it's his call as to when he's ready to return to the major leagues.

51s manager Jerry Royster said he was pleased with Valentin's effort Sunday.

"He played very well. He made a good play defensively, and he swung the bat OK for not hitting for two months," Royster said. "He just said he felt good, but it was weird being out there. He needs to get adjusted."

Dodgers manager Jim Tracy wouldn't speculate when either would be ready to return.

"I can't guess with either guy," he said. "The time they've been out has been too long, and just like talking about with (Valentin's) knee ... he can take one swing and something can go awry. At third he can go to a backhand plant and throw and feel something peculiar in his knee."

Meanwhile, the Dodgers outrighted reserve outfielder Jason Grabowski to Las Vegas with the hopes of calling up Wilson Alvarez on Tuesday. Alvarez had bullpen sessions this weekend in Los Angeles, and said he was able to recapture the control he was lacking in his three rehabilitation outings at Las Vegas.

The series at Colorado Springs and Salt Lake both include doubleheaders to make up games lost in April's season-opening roadtrip. The 51s return home July 26 for an eight-game homestand against New Orleans and Oklahoma.