BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : It’s Not So Nice for Gwynn, Javier
With Darryl Strawberry scheduled to return to the Dodgers’ lineup Wednesday in San Diego against the Padres, the clubhouse could have two unhappy outfielders.
Stan Javier, despite hitting .353 in his last nine starts, will no longer start against left-handed pitching.
And Chris Gwynn, despite eight hits in his last 18 at-bats, will not start against right-handers.
Once again proving themselves to be among the most valuable players on the team, Javier and Gwynn ably replaced Strawberry by helping the Dodgers to an 8-4 record in his absence. When Strawberry missed a week earlier this year, the Dodgers went 5-2.
“I don’t know what is going to happen when Strawberry comes back, except I think I am going to be unhappy,” Javier said. “I’ve showed what I can do when given a chance to play every day. But I know I cannot play here, so it is frustrating.”
Gwynn has resigned himself to returning to the bench.
“I certainly know the way there,” Gwynn said.
Mike Morgan will start Thursday night against the Padres even though he said he has been nursing a sore right ankle, the result of being struck with a line drive in Friday’s second-game victory.
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