Nomo to Get at Least Two Starts

Regardless of how well he pitches tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his first appearance since June 30, Hideo Nomo is guaranteed at least one more start for the Dodgers, Manager Jim Tracy said Tuesday.

Nomo, who will be activated today from the disabled list, also is scheduled to pitch against Arizona on Sept. 7 at Dodger Stadium. The right-hander, who is recovering from tendinitis in his rotator cuff, could earn further starting assignments based on his performance.

“Not that this club needs much of a lift right now, but if in fact it is the old Hideo Nomo, it would really add some positive life,” Tracy said.

Tracy was referring to the Nomo who had a combined 32 victories in 2002 and 2003, not the Nomo who went 3-10 with an 8.06 earned-run average in his 14 starts this season, including 0-9 with an 8.80 ERA in his last 10.

Tracy said he was eager to see whether Nomo could maintain the increased velocity and improved command he exhibited during a rehabilitation assignment with triple-A Las Vegas.

Nomo, who turned 36 Tuesday, declined to comment.

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Tracy said he would not drop Milton Bradley from third in the batting order despite a prolonged slump in which the left fielder was hitting .215 in August before the Dodgers played Arizona on Tuesday.

“I don’t really want to move the other pieces all over the place when we’ve established something fairly special offensively where guys come in the clubhouse on a given day and pretty much know what to expect when they open the door and come through it,” Tracy said.

“There’s very few surprises, and I don’t think they need to have any of that at this particular time in the season. I think they need to feel a real sense of stability, and that’s why Milton stays right where he’s at.”

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Tom Wilson, acquired on Aug. 18 in a swap of minor league catchers with the New York Mets, will join the Dodgers today after having his contract purchased from Las Vegas.

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Edwin Jackson, who gave up four hits and six runs in four innings Tuesday in his third rehabilitation start with Las Vegas, probably will make one more start with the 51s before rejoining the Dodgers, Tracy said.... The stiffness in Kazuhisa Ishii’s back that had prompted Tracy to remove the left-hander after six innings Sunday has been alleviated, Tracy said, and Ishii remains on track to start Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals.