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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ponson faces more problems

Associated Press

Sidney Ponson was arrested early Thursday on a drunken-driving charge, the latest legal problem for the pitcher considered the ace of Baltimore’s staff a year ago.

Maryland Transportation Authority Police arrested him on Interstate 95, just south of Baltimore, said Cpl. Pamela Thorne, a spokeswoman for the agency.

Authorities said Ponson was stopped for tailgating, given a field sobriety test and charged with driving under the influence and driving while impaired. At the station, he refused a breath test, which carries an automatic 120-day suspension of his license for a first offense.

Ponson was charged in January with driving under the influence in Florida. The case hasn’t been resolved. That arrest came weeks after he spent 11 days in an Aruban jail for a Christmas Day fight at a beach.

Dodgers’ injuries grow

Los Angeles outfielder Milton Bradley, probably facing season-ending surgery on his left knee, was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

The Dodgers, riddled by injuries all season, recalled infielder-outfielder Mike Edwards from Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League to replace Bradley on the 25-man roster.

Cesar Izturis might be the next Dodger to go on the disabled list. The All-Star shortstop, bothered by lower back pain, will undergo an MRI today.

Bradley is hitting .290 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs in 75 games this season.

Back hampers Hampton

Atlanta Braves left-hander Mike Hampton, on the disabled list for the fourth time this season, has been told to rest for three to five days after an MRI showed he has a herniated disc.

Dr. Lee Kelly, a back specialist, examined Hampton and determined a change from a bulging disc to a herniated one and gave him an epidural injection, the team said.

Hampton (5-3), who also has been bothered by a stiff forearm this season, was put on the disabled list on Tuesday night with a sore back.