Dodgers get rehab updates on Kuo, two others

Updated: June 12, 2011, 2:58 PM ETBy Tony Jackson
ESPNLosAngeles.com
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DENVER -- At the end of the weekend in which the unreliability of the Los Angeles Dodgers' injury-depleted bullpen has been underscored repeatedly, there was good news before Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, as relievers Hong-Chih Kuo, Jonathan Broxton and Kenley Jansen all took major steps in their efforts to return from the disabled list.

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First, setup man Kuo appeared to take a major step forward on Saturday night in his effort to come back from his latest bout with the yips, pitching a perfect eighth inning for advanced Class A Rancho Cucamonga against Visalia. Kuo had hoped to test himself by coming into the middle of an inning with runners on base, but that didn't work out because highly touted pitching prospect Ethan Martin had pitched a perfect seventh.

Still, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said the reports he got on Kuo's performance were that the once-dominating left-hander looked much more like himself.

"His velocity was up, which was kind of a good sign,'' Mattingly said. "He touched 96 (mph), where before he was at 92. Last night, he was (between) 92-96, so that tells you maybe he was letting it go a little bit more and feeling free about letting it go.''

Mattingly said it will be Kuo's decision what to do next, which has been the case since Kuo abruptly left the team on May 11 feeling that he could no longer command the ball.

Broxton, the Dodgers' erstwhile All-Star closer who has been on the 15-day DL since May 6 with a bone bruise in his right elbow and wasn't especially effective before that, is now tentatively slated to begin a minor league rehabilitation early next week. Broxton will throw off a mound for the third time on Tuesday and then a simulated game on Friday, a plan Mattingly conceded tentatively sets Broxton up to begin rehab assignment next week.

Meanwhile, although Jansen pitched two perfect innings in his second rehab appearance for Double-A Chattanooga on Saturday night, retired all nine batters he has faced in those two appearances and becomes eligible to be activated on Monday, Mattingly said the club might wait until later in the week to bring him back so that Jansen can make another two-inning appearance for the Lookouts.

"We want to get him stretched out and be able to go two (innings),'' Mattingly said. "He went two innings last night, but is one time enough for that? Just talking theoretically, if he could take today and (Monday) off, then go again on Tuesday.''

Mattingly said with the Dodgers having an off-day on Thursday, that could put Jansen on target to return on Friday night against the Houston Astros. However, Mattingly said that could change if the Dodgers have to use several relievers on Sunday against the Rockies, which might necessitate bringing Jansen back on Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds.

Tony Jackson covers the Dodgers for ESPNLosAngeles.com.

Follow Tony Jackson on Twitter: @dodgerscribe

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Pats' Gostkowski: Quad injury rehab going well

Updated: June 9, 2011, 4:53 PM ETBy Mike Reiss
ESPNBoston.com
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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski on Thursday gave a positive report on his rehab from a torn right quad that sidelined him for half of the 2010 season.

"Each week is better and better and better," Gostkowski, who kicks with his right leg, said at the team's "Community MVP" event at Gillette Stadium. "It's very encouraging and I feel very happy with where I'm at right now. I'm just going to work hard to be ready by camp."

Gostkowski was asked if he's limited in range and distance, in terms of what he should be doing.

"I'm kicking just as well as I would any other year, at this time of the year. I feel very good about it," he said. "It's been a slow progression, like a pitcher playing toss, then playing long toss, then throwing off the mound. It's been a progression over the last couple months, little baby steps, and now the fear of re-injuring, and the fear of hurting myself and it hurting while I do it is completely out the window. It's just encouraging to feel better each week."

Gostkowski has never had to miss extended time over his career, stretching back to his youth days, but said he's managed to remain positive since last November. He has spent time this offseason rehabilitating and training at his alma mater, the University of Memphis, with Baltimore Ravens long snapper Morgan Cox.

Because Cox is rehabilitating a torn ACL, Gostkowski explained that they've been able to support each other.

"That's definitely helped as far as motivating myself, not being on my own," said Gostkowski, who enters his sixth NFL season in 2011. "It's easy when you're around all your teammates in an offseason workout program. But to motivate yourself on a daily basis without that, it's a little bit tougher. Having someone in the same situation -- 'I've got to get back, prove myself again, I've got to get healthy' -- it's been nice to have someone there to help me out."

As for his presence Tuesday at the "Community MVP" event, Gostkowski smiled.

"It was just a true honor to be here, and to see how many people in the community of New England do such good work, and give back," he said. "Hearing all the stories and what they've done, it touched me. It's something I'd like to do when I'm done playing."

Gostkowski's appearance marked the first time he's been at the stadium since the lockout.

"I've been here so many times in the past and it didn't feel any different to me," he said. "It was nice to see Mr. Kraft and a teammate in Ron [Brace]. I've caught up with a couple teammates the last couple of days, and just itching to get back at it. Whenever this stuff resolves, it will resolve, and we'll be back and it will be normal again. I'm looking forward to when it happens. I'm not going to worry about anything until it does."

Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com.

Follow Mike Reiss on Twitter: @MikeReiss

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