BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hamilton Injures Knee, Put on Disabled List

There is a chance Jeff Hamilton has played his last game for the Dodgers this season after he injured his right knee Tuesday night while sliding into home plate in the 13th inning.

After a pregame examination Wednesday by Dr. Frank Jobe revealed a possible torn posterior cruciate ligament, Hamilton was sent to Centinela Hospital Medical Center for further tests, which confirmed the tear.

Hamilton was placed on the 15-day disabled list and outfielder Butch Davis was recalled from triple-A Albuquerque. Jobe said that in some instances, several weeks of rest has healed such an injury rather than surgery.

“It’s a controversial injury because there are two ways to treat it,” Jobe said. “Sometimes if you don’t do anything to it, it does real well. Sometimes, it doesn’t.”

Jobe said that Dodger coach Bill Russell suffered a similar injury about 10 years ago, and it healed with rest.

“I guess I should just count my blessings,” said Hamilton, the former starting third baseman who was benched after hitting .220 with one home run and 13 runs batted in. “When you hear about somebody like Dave Dravecky, you realize how lucky you are. I’m sure this could be a lot worse.”

Jose Gonzalez, angry after being removed for a pinch-hitter in the 12th inning Tuesday night, had a closed-door meeting with Manager Tom Lasorda before Wednesday night’s game.

Gonzalez, who has been asking for a trade since last season, felt humiliated because he was replaced by right-handed pinch-hitter, Mike Sharperson. Gonzalez also bats right-handed.

“I can’t take this anymore,” he said, later adding, “Why would they want to embarrass me in front of the whole league? Now everybody is talking about why can’t this guy bat, why do they replace him like that?

“I’m sick and tired of it.”

Gonzalez said Lasorda promised to talk to Vice President Fred Claire about Gonzalez’s unhappiness.

Gonzalez, hitless in 24 at-bats before Wednesday night, is the only major league non-pitcher who began the season on the active roster without a hit.

Dave Hansen, who joined the team from triple-A Albuquerque to fill the roster spot vacated by the injured Darryl Strawberry, said he is prepared for the unfamiliar role of a pinch-hitter. “I’ve never really done it before, but heck, all it is is hitting, right?” he said. “And I love to hit.” Hansen has one major league hit in two brief appearances with the Dodgers. . . . Gary Carter appeared in his 1,919th game as a catcher Wednesday night, moving him to fourth place on the all-time list. He should soon pass Jim Sundberg, who has 1,927 games. The all-time leader is Bob Boone with 2,225 games.