Penny’s Thoughts a Lot More Positive

VERO BEACH, Fla. — Brad Penny hardly blanched.

His demeanor this spring, it was suggested, was in sharp contrast to his browbeaten outlook a year ago, when the Dodger right-hander wondered if the biceps injury that cut short his 2004 season might also end his career.

“I’m not as miserable?” he asked, drawing nervous laughter from a group of reporters before smiling. “That’s how it was, man. I was miserable. You never know. You go out there and throw on the side and you feel something [in your arm] every once in a while and you’re like, ‘Is this it again?’

“Right now,” he said, “I don’t feel anything. I feel healthy.”

He looked it again Monday, facing the minimum number of batters in a three-inning stint and giving up no hits in his second spring start, a 0-0 tie with the Washington Nationals in a split-squad exhibition at Holman Stadium.

Penny, who struck out two and walked one, didn’t make a single pitch in the exhibition season last spring, opened the regular season on the disabled list and posted a 7-9 record and 3.90 earned-run average in 29 starts.

“It’s a 100% turnaround,” he said of the difference in his approach to preparing for this season. “Last year, I didn’t know when I was going to pitch. It’s frustrating not knowing, not even having a schedule or knowing when your arm is going to allow you to throw. This year, I know if everything stays as it is now and nothing bad happens, I’m going to go play in April. ...

“I think this year I’ll be a lot further along to start the season.”

That can only be good for the Dodgers, Manager Grady Little suggested: “From what I’ve seen and the way he’s going about his business this spring, I think he might be getting ready to show the world something this year.”

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Eric Gagne took another step in his comeback from elbow surgery, reporting that he threw pain-free during a bullpen session of about 15 minutes and saying that he was looking forward to making his spring debut Wednesday.

“I just want to get my arm in shape,” said Gagne, who last pitched in a game June 12. “I don’t really care about curveballs or changeups, or anything like that yet. It don’t even matter if I throw good once I’m in the bullpen. Bullpen don’t count.”

Yhency Brazoban, who assumed the closer’s role last season when Gagne was on the disabled list and established rookie club records with 21 saves and 74 appearances, also threw a short bullpen session. The right-hander, who has been limited in camp because of shoulder soreness, is scheduled to make his spring debut Thursday.

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Touted prospect Joel Guzman, making the move from shortstop, is scheduled to make his first start in left field today against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“We’re getting his feet wet in one spot out in left field,” Little said, “but if we feel like he’s got some comfort out there, maybe before spring training’s over we’ll give him a shot in right field too.”

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Five Dodger pitchers limited the Nationals to two hits. Takashi Saito pitched the last two innings, striking out three and walking none. ... Cody Ross had two hits, among them a seventh-inning home run, in the Dodgers’ 1-1 split-squad tie with the Florida Marlins at Jupiter, Fla.