And in this hour’s Dodgers hamstring news, it turns out Juan Rivera’s isn’t some routine tear. His is a completely torn hamstring.
Dodgers trainer Sue Falsone said Friday the outfielder would be re-evaluated in two weeks, but the best possible scenario would be in a couple of weeks, while the worst is in the six-to-eight weeks.
Earlier Friday the Dodgers placed Jerry Hairston Jr. on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. She said hamstring tears are graded from one to three.
"In Jerry’s case, it’s Grade 2, but Juan’s is a full tear," Falsone said.
Falsone said full tears are so rare that there is limited research available on the recovery process. She said surgery is possible.
“We’re not at that point with Juan, we’re not on that path,” she said.
Rivera said the tendon behind the left knee tore when he slid into third base Tuesday night on Juan Uribe’s failed sacrifice bunt. Falsone said that it’s likely he actually tore it running the last couple steps before sliding.
Rivera is batting only .247 with a fairly lousy .358 slugging percentage, but is third on the Dodgers with 13 RBIs.
The Dodgers called up rookie Scott Van Slyke to replace Rivera on the roster Wednesday, but Falsone said Rivera would definitely return this season.
“He will play again this year,” she said.
--Steve Dilbeck
