LOS ANGELES -- The news went from bad to something much worse for the injury-plagued Darren Dreifort, who has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and needs season-ending surgery, according to team doctor Frank Jobe.
"I'd like to get the surgery done and certainly play again," said Dreifort.
The 32-year-old former first-round pick, given the setup role when Guillermo Mota was traded to Florida on July 30, felt something in his knee while pitching to the first batter he faced, Luis Castillo, in the eighth inning of his Monday-night loss to Florida. An MRI revealed a Grade 2 sprain.
"I wouldn't recommend he pitch again this year," said Jobe. "I don't think he'll do without surgery. If he does, I would be surprised. You seldom see Grade 2s heal without surgery. He would be out the rest of this year and into the spring."
Jobe said that trying to pitch with this condition would put Dreifort at risk for a secondary injury. He also said that the club is considering an operation on Dreifort's right hip, which has arthritic deterioration similar to that which required a second hip operation last month for another Dodger reliever, Paul Shuey. Dreifort has been pitching for most of the season with hip discomfort that has limited him to one inning per appearance.
Dreifort underwent a transplant of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee last June, and arthroscopic surgery on his hip labrum last September. The club believes that the problems with the knee and hip affect each other when he pitches.
Jobe plans to have Dreifort wait two weeks before an operation, to allow swelling in the knee to subside. He said that this surgery ordinarily is not considered career-threatening, but he's never come across a Dodger with a more checkered medical history.
"He has not done well as far as connective tissue," said Jobe.
Darren Dreifort / P
Born: 05/03/72
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 210 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
Here's the medical history: Dreifort has undergone two Tommy John elbow reconstructions, a right knee reconstruction, four arthroscopic knee operations and one arthroscopic right hip operation. The next two operations would make 10.
Here are the financial implications: Dreifort is guaranteed $13 million in salary in 2005, plus $400,000 of a $2 million signing bonus in the final year of a five-year, $55 million contract. Since he signed that contract, he has undergone or needed six operations, while winning nine games.
Here are the bullpen implications: Dreifort's injury, combined with the departure of Mota, leaves manager Jim Tracy's previously well-defined relief roles leading to closer Eric Gagne in disarray. Tracy said that any combination of rookies Yhency Brazoban and Duaner Sanchez and journeyman Giovanni Carrara could be used, but said that he would consider adding Edwin Jackson when he returns from a minor league rehab assignment that starts on Wednesday night.
Although Dreifort said that he sustained the injury on Monday night, Tracy said that something physical would explain Dreifort's deteriorating performance, beginning right around the time of the trade with Florida. In the eight games since Mota went to the Marlins, Dreifort has three losses and an 11.12 ERA.
"The last couple of times, his command has noticeably deteriorated from just 10 days ago," said Tracy. "Periodically, with the hip, it would put stress on the knee."
Jayson Werth / LF
Born: 05/20/79
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 210 lbs
Bats: R / Throws: R
Werth report: It's not nearly as serious, but Jayson Werth is still ailing from the broken rib, an injury he sustained nearly three weeks ago.
"We're giving a body wrap a try," said Werth, whose ribcage is wrapped tightly . "We didn't want to do this, because we figured it would restrict movement, but I tried to play every day, and it had no time to really heal. I was hoping that three weeks later it would feel better, but it doesn't. At first, the one thing I could do was swing a bat, but as of late, I've been getting spasms, and it doesn't feel as good when I swing as it did."
Penny update: The update on Brad Penny's arm nerve is that there is no update. He still hasn't picked up a baseball, nine days after sustaining the injury.
Dodger Dream Foundation: The Dodgers Dream Foundation will donate books to all 32 classrooms at Gratts Elementary School, near downtown Los Angeles, as a part of the "Dodger Reading Dugout" program. Manager Jim Tracy and his wife, Deb; Sandra and Adrian Beltre; Valerie and Eric Gagne; Lindsay and Shawn Green; Jose and Melissa Lima; David Ross; and Robin Ventura will participate.
The money to purchase the books and custom bookcases was donated in part by the players and their wives. In addition, Scholastic Inc. will donate a book for each student to take home.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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Darren Dreifort / P
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