Dodgers' 3B Blake to have season-ending surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Casey Blake is having season-ending surgery to repair a pinched nerve in his neck. Blake did not travel to Pittsburgh for the Dodgers' game against the Pirates on Thursday, remaining in Los Angeles to have tests in advance of the operation Tuesday. Blake has been bothered by the nerve and a cervical strain much of the season, and missed time with an elbow infection and back spasms. He hit .252 with four home runs and 26 RBIs in 63 games. Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly said having the surgery now ''gives him that extra month'' to improve his chances of being healthy for the start of spring training in February.