A Series Dedicated to the Sports Medicine Industry

With that in mind, they dragged James Loney away from the no limit tables at the Venetian (I'm sorry, I was thinking of where I'd want to be in Vegas, not where he actually was) and activated him for today's game.  How that is legal I'm not exactly sure, because I don't quite understand how they can bring a guy up to replace another guy they picked up in a trade and put on the roster just because he's not in the building.  Be that as it may, I'm sure there's a bylaw somewhere that makes it kosher, and as a result Loney is a Dodger.  At least for today.  Talking to Little, he said they were a mishap or two away from going to emergency infielders Russell Martin or Jason Repko (who used to play short, but still...), and didn't want to be shorthanded again today.   

Loney said before the game that nobody told him how long he'd be up.  They didn't explicitly say pack for the upcoming road trip, but they didn't say he'd be back in Vegas tomorrow when Betemit arrives, either.  And as Nomar is expected to be ready for Tuesday's game in Cincinnati, it's hard to handicap how long Loney will be here.  Interestingly, he's played nine games in the outfield for Vegas to go with 74 at first, and says he feels comfortable out there. 

The acquisition of Betemit has added some intrigue to the whole "What to do with Cesar?" issue.  Little says Betemit will play third tomorrow and get plenty of time there.  That means, for the time being, Izturis will play second in relief of Jeff Kent.  Little said he spoke to Izturis about the move.  As to what happens after that, Little said they'd cross that bridge when they get there.  "We'll see how things work out," Little said.  "It's going to be a while before Kent is ready to play."  As for exactly how Betemit will fit into the everyday lineup, that also remains to be seen.  Presumably he'll play plenty, but not necessarily exclusively at third.  "I'm not going to sit around and tell you exactly what we're going to be doing when I don't even know myself."

As mentioned, the plan is for Nomar to be ready to play Tuesday in Cincinnati, with a brace on his injured knee.  "Yesterday was the first time he swung with the brace on, and he felt comfortable with it.  He took some ground balls, and should be ready for Tuesday," Little said.

Kent started swinging on a tee yesterday, and is slowly working himself back into shape. 

LINEUPS-

DODGERS-
Furcal- SS
Repko- CF
Drew- RF
Saenz- 1B
Ethier- LF
Martin- C
Izturis- 3B
Martinez- 2B
Lowe- P

NATIONALS-
Soriano- LF
Lopez- SS
Zimmerman- 3B
Johnson- 1B
Kearns- RF
Anderson- 2B
Church- CF
Schneider- C
O'Connor- P