Repko Out Until All-Star Break

Grady Little's predictions of a long setback for Jason Repko are starting to materialize, with the Daily News reporting Repko will likely be out until July.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Jason Repko, the speedy scrapper who was slated to be the Dodgers' fourth outfielder this season, probably will need surgery to repair the left hamstring he injured running down a ball in the gap in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Baltimore. It would likely sideline him through the All-Star break.

...[I]t is more bad luck for Repko, who missed 2 1/2 months last season when he landed too hard on his right ankle after attempting to make a leaping catch at the center-field wall. He also strained his right groin chasing a fly ball earlier this spring, but that injury didn't keep him out nearly as long as it was expected to.

This time, he doesn't figure to escape so easily.

Meanwhile, Repko's absence probably will open up a spot on the Opening Day roster for Larry Bigbie, the non-roster veteran who missed most of last season with St. Louis because of a hernia. Bigbie, who is hitting .383 for the Dodgers this spring, theoretically would slide into the one open spot left on the club's 40-man roster. If Repko is placed on the 60-day disabled list instead of the 15-day - something that appears likely if the vague prognosis Little gave reporters holds true - that would open a second 40-man spot that probably would go to reliever Rudy Seanez.

Seanez, a veteran right-hander who has said he almost certainly will retire if he doesn't make the club, pitched a perfect eighth inning against the Orioles. He has allowed no runs on two hits over 8 1/3 innings this spring.

Bigbie seems like a worthy add to the team given the circumstances. But having to dig so low in the dregs of the barrel to save Seanez from retirement seems pretty scary.

How come the injury bug has hit us, rather than the seniors' league team up north?