Rehabbing LaRoche becomes 'Guitar Hero'

LOS ANGELES -- In his spare time, Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Andy LaRoche used his surgically repaired right thumb to strum a video game controller shaped like a guitar.

The PlayStation 3 game "Guitar Hero" apparently has healing powers, as LaRoche was able to spend time before batting practice making throws from third to first, the last hurdle he needed to clear before returning to game action.

That the rookie was able to test the thumb five weeks after undergoing a surgery for a torn ligament was surprising considering recovery was expected to take eight to 10 weeks.

"If someone would have told me he'd be throwing five weeks post-op, I'd have said, 'No way,'" Dodgers trainer Stan Conte said.

LaRoche could be off to extended spring training in Vero Beach, Fla. or even begin a rehab assignment by the end of the week, according to manager Joe Torre.

The events coincide with news that Nomar Garciaparra (wrist) will likely be ready to be activated from the 15-day disabled list in time for the start of the team's five-game road trip beginning Friday. Garciaparra is scheduled to return to Los Angeles Tuesday to work out after completing his rehab with Class AAA Las Vegas.

While competing for a starting job, Garciaparra and LaRoche went down during the same March 7 spring training game. LaRoche got the worst of it, tearing his ulnar collateral ligament, and he still feels discomfort while throwing.

"You can't ignore it," LaRoche said. "That's what tells you when you're ready."

Also working out at third base before Monday's 6-4 loss to Pittsburgh at Dodger Stadium were Chin-lung Hu and Delwyn Young, who could be relied upon to play there more often if the team options Blake DeWitt (1-for-4 Monday). Garciaparra would need days off to stay healthy, Torre said.

"I can't go out there and be surprised," Young explained.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)