Darren

Dreifort

Dreifort isn’t scheduled to pitch until Apr. 19 due to the schedule. The MRI and a bone scan were both negative.

Dreifort had already had hip surgery. He’s expected to miss at least the first two months of next season, and the Dodgers aren’t sure that he’ll return at all.

Most of Dreifort’s $13 million salary likely will be covered by insurance, allowing the Dodgers to re-sign Odalis Perez and bring in Derek Lowe.

Dreifort is bothered by pain in his arthritic right knee.

The Dodger medical staff is hopeful the pain in Dreifort’s arthritic right knee can be managed to enable him to complete the season. Dreifort is a risky proposition from here on out. If at any point he needs to be shut down, the Dodgers would turn to Andy Ashby or Wilson Alvarez, who has pitched well at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Dreifort, already rehabbing from knee surgery, is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

The Dodgers hope to get Dreifort back on a mound next week. If healthy, he’s expected to have a spot in the team’s rotation.

Dreifort will miss the remainder of the season.

As a result, Dreifort might be on the verge of undergoing knee surgery for the second time in as many seasons. He’ll be examined by team doctors today.

Dreifort has had three operations on the knee, but is not concerned about today’s exam, saying ''at this point, it’s like getting a cup of coffee.’' Dreifort’s next start has already been pushed back to Saturday because of today’s off day. Manager Jim Tracy won’t make any further rotation adjustments until the MRI results are in.