Dodgers' Padilla accidentally shot in Nicaragua

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Vicente Padilla went 12-6 with a 4.46 ERA with the Rangers and Dodgers in 2009. Chris McGrath/Getty Images

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) -- Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla is recovering from a bullet wound in his leg after a target shooting instructor in Nicaragua accidentally shot him.

Dr. Eduardo Reguera said Padilla, who signed with the Dodgers in August, didn't need surgery after spending time at Managua's Metropolitan Hospital.

Police spokesman Vilma Reyes said on Wednesday that Padilla's pistol apparently jammed during a target shooting session late Tuesday.

Padilla handed the pistol to a shooting instructor, a former police captain, who didn't realize there was a bullet in the chamber and shot himself in his hand, Padilla's legal adviser Roberto Calderon told The Associated Press. The bullet also grazed Padilla's leg said Calderon.

The account contradicts Padilla's agent, Adam Katz, who told The Los Angeles Times it was a "hunting accident."

Padilla went 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA for the Dodgers in the final two months of the regular season. He allowed one run in 7 1-3 innings in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, but was battered for six runs in three innings in a season-ending loss to Philadelphia.

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