VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Infielder Tony Abreu, who came to spring training favored to win a roster spot as the backup to second baseman Jeff Kent, left camp before Wednesday's 10-4 loss to the Washington Nationals to fly to Philadelphia, where he was to be examined by sports hernia specialist William Meyers.
Abreu missed much of last summer because of an abdominal injury that required surgery in October. But problems have apparently lingered, limiting Abreu to three at-bats this spring. That also has led many in the Dodgers organization, most of whom haven't seen Abreu play, to quietly question his toughness.
"Abreu seems to be more hurt than I am. I've never seen this before," said Kent, who has missed a week himself with a tweaked hamstring. "He's missing a grand opportunity to show his wares."
The exam, a Dodgers spokesman said, was made at the team's request and Abreu was expected to return to Vero Beach late Wednesday. Kent, meanwhile, said he already would have been back in the lineup if this were the regular season. But it's not, so he continues to work in the batting cages and on the back field instead of in spring training games.
"There's no rush, no need to prolong the injury by playing on it," said Kent, who has been plagued by quadriceps and hamstring pulls for most of his 16-year career. "It lingers longer when you play on any injury."
In his absence, and the unexpected absence of Abreu, the new coaching staff has gotten long looks at Delwyn Young and rookie Chin-lung Hu at second base.
Pitchers struggle
In Wednesday's game, a couple of pitchers in contention for a spot on the opening-day roster had tough outings, with Jason Johnson and Mike Myers each giving up their first earned runs of the spring.
Johnson, a 10-year major leaguer in the hunt for the fifth starter's job, gave up a three-run home run to Austin Kearns in the fifth and Myers, a candidate for a bullpen berth, allowed five consecutive runners to reach base in a four-run eighth.
"They just beat me. It happens," said Myers, a 13-year veteran who, like Johnson, was invited to camp as a non-roster player. "They didn't hit the ball at people. It's a matter of where they hit the ball."
Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said one poor appearance won't determine the future of either player.
