Outfielder Eric Byrnes will attempt to rehabilitate his torn left hamstring the old-fashioned way, without surgery, although he admitted Friday that he still might not be able to return this season.
"I'm not saying I'm rehabbing to come back this year. I'm not going to rule it out. I'm just not sure how my leg is going to respond. I'm not going to be crazy. It's something I'm going to be real cautious with," Byrnes said. Byrnes missed 27 days with hamstring issues earlier this season and has been out a second time since suffering a "98 percent tear" on July 1, and the D-Backs obtained first baseman Tony Clark in part to add the offense missing in Byrnes' absence.
Byrnes said doctors he consulted were 50-50 on whether surgery was necessary, and that either way -- surgery or not -- his hamstring would be as strong as ever.
"Given that option, it was a no-brainer for me," said Byrnes, who wanted to avoid surgery if possible.
Byrnes said the D-Backs' suggested surgery but were supportive of his decision. He is expected to rehab with the D-Backs' training staff.
At the same time, surgery is not off the table if Byrnes' hamstring does not recover by October, because the D-Backs want to insure his availability for 2009 and the operation requires a 4-to-6 month recovery period. He signed a three-year, $30 million deal last year.
DODGERS 8, DIAMONDBACKS 7 (11 innings): The D-backs failed to hold a two-run lead for the third time in four games, and the bullpen gave up three home runs, including the game winner by James Loney leading off the 11th Friday. The D-backs scored seven runs in the first three innings but were blanked the rest of the way despite 1B Chad Tracy getting his fifth straight multi-hit game, 2B Orlando Hudson getting three hits and LF Conor Jackson reaching base five times, on three singles and two walks.
