The Los Angeles Dodgers' ability to avoid serious injuries this spring might have ended in the seventh inning of yesterday's game against the Houston Astros in Holman Stadium at Vero Beach, Fla.

Tony Abreu injured his left shoulder while sliding headfirst on an attempt to steal second base. He lay on the field for a few minutes while head trainer Stan Conte tended to him. He finally got up and was able to climb into a golf cart for the ride back to the clubhouse.

"I fell on the arm," Abreu said through a translator.

Abreu had his left arm in a sling after the game and an MRI revealed a moderate bone contusion and jammed left shoulder. He is expected to be out two to four weeks.

"He was in a lot of pain when it happened out there on the field," Dodgers manager Grady Little said. "He jammed it really good."

Abreu helped lead Aguilas Cibaenas to the Dominican Winter League Championship and the finals of the Caribbean Series. He was batting .394 this spring.

ELSEWHERE

Nationals: Jerome Williams pitched four shutout innings in Washington's 13-1 victory over the New York Mets yesterday at Port St. Lucie, Fla. Williams, a Waipahu High alum, allowed two hits, struck out two and walked two. He is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in spring games.

Pirates: John Grabow's elbow soreness has recurred, leaving Pittsburgh without the services of one of its most reliable relievers. The left-hander hasn't pitched off the mound since working an inning against Cincinnati last Sunday, and the Pirates have no timetable for when he will pitch again. "Hopefully, it will quiet down soon and I'll be back on the mound before too long," he said.