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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 9:04 a.m., Thursday, July 3, 2008

Baseball: Garciaparra, Jones to join Dodgers in S.F.

Associated Press

HOUSTON — Dodgers infielder Nomar Garciaparra and outfielder Andruw Jones will come off the disabled list Friday and join the Dodgers in San Francisco.

Garciaparra has been on the disabled list since April 26 with a strained left calf. Jones has been on the DL since May 25 with a right knee injury.

The All-Star duo started rehab assignments with Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday and played three games. Dodgers manager Joe Torre said they would both take today off and fly to San Francisco, where the Dodgers open a three-game series against the Giants on Friday.

Garciaparra went 5 for 8 with an RBI and Jones was 4 for 8 with a homer and three RBIs this week with Las Vegas.

"They're both ready to go," Torre said.

Torre said Garciaparra would play some games at shortstop after Rafael Furcal opted for surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. Furcal had the surgery today and Torre said he's out at least eight weeks.

Torre said Jones called him Monday and said he was ready to play after Juan Pierre hurt his left knee in Sunday's game against the Angels. Torre told Jones to stay patient and play a few games with Las Vegas.

"Does he need maybe another 5-10 at-bats? We'll take our chances and have him do it at the major-league level," Torre said. "Physically, there seems to be no concern whatsoever."

Torre also said today that Chan Ho Park (4-2) will start Saturday's game instead of Brad Penny (5-9), who's been on the DL since June 15 with a sore right shoulder. Torre said Penny would throw a simulated game in either Las Vegas or San Francisco and then make his return start some time next week.