DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DEPODESTA TO JOIN PADRES SOON.

Byline: TONY JACKSON  Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- Former Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta will officially return to baseball on July 13 when he joins the front office of the San Diego Padres.

DePodesta, fired by the Dodgers Oct. 29 after less than two years on the job, will assume the newly created position of special assistant to baseball operations and will report directly to Padres chief executive officer Sandy Alderson.

``Paul has one of the most insightful and creative minds in baseball,'' Alderson said in a statement released by the club. ``He will be a great resource for (general manager) Kevin Towers, the entire baseball operations department and me. Paul is a terrific addition to an already outstanding front office staff.''

With Towers signed only through next season with a club option for 2008, the addition of DePodesta by Alderson is bound to lead to speculation about Towers' job security. But all indications are DePodesta will work primarily with scouting and player development. Those departments are overseen by Padres vice president Grady Fuson, who worked with DePodesta when both were in Oakland's front office.

DePodesta was the Dodgers GM from February 2004, when new owners Frank and Jamie McCourt hired him away from his previous position as assistant GM with Oakland, until last October. The McCourts fired DePodesta a month into a managerial search and eventually replaced him with current GM Ned Colletti.

DePodesta's two-year run with the Dodgers included a National League West division title in 2004. But the club slumped to a 71-91 finish last season, after which De-

Podesta fired manager Jim Tracy four weeks before being fired himself.

No Gagne: Dodgers closer Eric Gagne, who was supposed to begin his throwing program by playing catch before Friday's game, didn't show up at Angel Stadium. Gagne was believed to be continuing his rehabilitation back in Los Angeles with physical therapist Clive Brewster.

``We expected him to be able to (throw), but he wasn't ready yet,'' Dodgers manager Grady Little said. ``Anytime you get word like that, it's a setback to us.''

Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston said he didn't think it represented a major setback. Johnston tried to call Gagne during batting practice but could not reach him.

Gagne, who underwent surgery to remove a nerve from his right elbow on April 7, has made just two appearances for the Dodgers this season between two stints on the disabled list.

Battery mates: Catcher Toby Hall and pitcher Mark Hendrickson, acquired in Tuesday's trade with Tampa Bay, will make their Dodgers debuts together today because of the familiarity with each other. But Little said regular catcher Russell Martin will be behind the plate for some of Hendrickson's starts, too.

``We have a good catcher who has done a good job for us,'' Little said, referring to Martin.

Also: Outfielder Ricky Ledee (left groin) ran the bases for the first time with good results and probably will begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment in the next couple of days. ... Colletti said carrying three catchers the rest of the season might preclude the club from carrying more than 11 pitchers.

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Paul DePodesta, the former Dodgers general manager, will have a new home with the San Diego Padres on July 13.

Michael Zagaris/Getty Images