The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny has a strained right biceps and is expected to miss one start after being forced to leave a weekend game because of pain.

Making his second start after being acquired in a trade with Florida, the right-hander left Sunday's game after throwing only 14 pitches against Philadelphia.

An MRI exam Monday revealed there were neither tears nor structural damage in his arm, Los Angeles spokesman John Olguin said.

"It's obviously very good news for us," Olguin said.

It was originally feared that the injury was more serious.

Penny left the mound after his 14th pitch and at first thought he had a cramp. He then tried a practice pitch and jumped off the mound, writhing in pain.

Penny, 26, joined the NL West leaders just before the trade deadline in a deal that sent Paul Lo Duca, Guillermo Mota and Juan Encarnacion to the Marlins.

In his debut with the Dodgers last week, Penny held Pittsburgh to just two infield hits over eight scoreless innings.

Penny won two games in last year's World Series against the New York Yankees, helping the Marlins win their second championship. He was charged with the loss Sunday, dropping to 9-9 with a 3.02 ERA in 23 starts this season.

Kazuhisa Ishii, demoted to the bullpen, is a possibility to fill in for Penny at Chicago Saturday.