Dykstra Comeback In Doubt

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra put his comeback attempt on hold today because of recurring back stiffness.

Dykstra missed the last 1 ½ seasons following major back surgery. He was losing a battle with Doug Glanville for the starting job in center field.

"I'm starting to get pain and the same problems I had before. I want to go get a couple of other (medical) opinions," Dykstra said at a news conference this morning after meeting with manager Terry Francona and acting general manager Ed Wade.

The 35-year-old Dykstra did not rule out a comeback later in the season, but said if there is a comeback it would have to be this year.

"There ain't no next year," Dykstra said. "I'd be drawing pension by then."

He last played on Friday as a designated hitter against Tampa Bay at St. Petersburg. The next day, he complained of back stiffness, and he missed a start on Sunday at Fort Myers against Boston.

"I'm not going to sit here and lie to you, I'm concerned. The back controls everything," he said.

Dykstra, the last of the so-called "Macho Row" group of team leaders who took the Phillies to the World Series in 1993, has been very critical of Phillies management for not guaranteeing him the starting job if he was healthy.

Since he heard the news in a March 9 meeting, Dykstra has asked for his release, criticized his manager twice and made himself unavailable three times.

He has gone 2-for-21 this season for a .095 batting average in eight spring games. He went 0-for-3 with a bases-loaded walk in his last game Friday against Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg.

Dykstra is guaranteed $5.5 million this year the final year of his contract. If he doesn't play all season, the Phillies can recoup 80 percent of his salary through insurance.

The team has an option to pay Dykstra $6 million to play next year or to buy out his contract for $500,000.

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