Brad

Penny

Penny, sidelined because of a nerve problem on his pitching arm, does not have a timetable for his return. The Dodgers still hope to have him back healthy and pitching for the playoffs, so he barring any problems, he should be back before season’s end.

The Dodgers made the decision official yesterday. They are hoping that Penny can throw as many as 80 pitches in the start. Although he will be rusty, if you need Penny go ahead and use him on your fantasy squad.

Consequently, no one can be certain when Penny will pitch again. “If the bruise is on the outside of the nerve, it could take three to four weeks to recover,” Jobe said. “If the bruise is on the inside, it could be a matter of months. But either way, he needs rest and must stretch out the arm with exercise. Not only have I never seen something like this, but it is so rare that there isn’t even any [research] literature on it.”

Manager Jim Tracy said the Dodgers would not consider using Penny as a reliever in the playoffs, so he has three weeks to convince them he can return as a starter -- not likely. He’ll throw batting practice Tuesday, but “If he has any kind of setback, that’s when the plug is pulled,” Tracy said. As for Choi, he hasn’t played in eight days and is 0-for-21 in his career as a pinch-hitter. The Dodgers have plenty of backup first basemen, so his absence from the playoff roster is a near certainty.

A scheduled 70-pitch simulated game Friday could be the final determining factor.

There remains, however, no timetable for the right-hander’s return from a strained right biceps.

Physical therapist Pat Screnar said, “I’ve never seen this kind of injury before,” referring to Penny’s irritated nerve. As a result, the Dodgers have no idea when or if Penny might return.

If he returns to active duty at all this season, it will be as a long reliever. Penny will continue to build up his arm strength by throwing every second or third day for the next two weeks.

Manager Jim Tracy said Penny would need several appearances to build stamina if the right-hander recovers from a nerve problem in his pitching arm this season. With the minor-league season coming to a close today, Penny will be unable to rehab in the minors. Pitching out of the Dodger bullpen at the end of the season remains an option, but that is still a ways off. We will see if Penny is able to return before the end of the year.

“It was an improved effort,” physical therapist Pat Screnar said. “He felt better, and there was less tightness. It was probably his best day so far.” Penny is still weeks away from being activated from the DL.