Izturis Not Getting All-Star Support

While Cesar Izturis bobbleheads were being handed to paying customers at the Dodger Stadium turnstiles, Manager Jim Tracy sat in his office wondering about the dunderheads casting National League All-Star votes.

Izturis is batting .345 and leads the league in hits and multi-hit games. He won a Gold Glove last season. Yet he is not in the top five vote-getters at shortstop.

The leader? Nomar Garciaparra, who was batting .157 in 14 games before going on the disabled list with a torn groin muscle. David Eckstein, Rafael Furcal, Jose Reyes and Clint Barmes round out the top five.

“[Izturis] is the best shortstop in the game,” Tracy said. “He does all the routine things and he does remarkable things. He’s a complete player who is going to be doing this for years to come.

“He should be the starting shortstop in the All-Star game.”

Izturis’ double-play partner, Jeff Kent, is well on his way to becoming the All-Star second baseman. Kent has 371,947 votes, nearly 119,000 votes more than second-place Craig Biggio.

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Left-hander Odalis Perez experienced shoulder weakness after throwing 40 pitches in the bullpen and is still not close to coming off the disabled list.

“If I have to take more time off to get to 90% or 100%, I will,” he said.

A similar injury kept Perez sidelined for three weeks last season. He is expected to throw several more bullpen sessions and make at least one minor league rehabilitation start before returning to the rotation.

Right-hander Elmer Dessens, who also is on the disabled list because of a sore shoulder, is scheduled to make a two-inning rehab start at triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

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Dodger owner Frank McCourt has sent a letter to Commissioner Bud Selig requesting that the Jackie Robinson Day ceremony be held at Dodger Stadium every year. Robinson, the first African American player in the major leagues, played his entire career for the Brooklyn Dodgers, from 1947 to 1956

The 58th anniversary of Robinson’s first major league game was held at Dodger Stadium on April 15. The first Jackie Robinson Day was held last season at Shea Stadium in New York.

Kathleen Fineout, a spokeswoman for Major League Baseball, said a decision on the location of next year’s ceremony probably won’t be made until after the All-Star break.

“Last year we had it in New York because Jackie played his entire career in New York,” Fineout said.

Approving McCourt’s proposal would mean the Dodgers would play a home game every April 15.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Milwaukee Brewers, four games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- FSN West 2.

Radio -- 980, 1330.

Records -- Dodgers 26-26; Brewers 25-27.

Record vs. Brewers -- 2-0.

Tonight, 7 -- Derek Thompson (0-0, 3.60) vs. Ben Sheets (1-4, 3.62).

Friday, 7:30 -- Jeff Weaver (5-4, 5.70) vs. Chris Capuano (4-4, 3.01).

Saturday, 7 -- Wilson Alvarez (1-3, 5.79) vs. Victor Santos (2-4, 2.73)

Sunday, 1 -- Brad Penny (2-2, 3.18) vs. Wes Obermueller (1-0, 3.00)

Tickets -- (866) 363-4377.