DODGERS NOTEBOOK: GAGNE, PEREZ EYEING FIFTH STARTER'S JOB.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer VERO BEACH Vero Beach (vēr`o), city (1990 pop. 17,350), seat of Indian River co., E Fla., on Indian River (a lagoon and part of the Intracoastal Waterway); founded c.1888, inc. 1919. , Fla. - Eric Gagne and Carlos Perez understand Ramon Martinez Ramon Martinez is the name of several people:
``I'm not coming here to be in the bullpen or go somewhere else,'' Perez said Wednesday as pitchers and catchers began reporting for spring training. ``I'm going to work hard to win my spot in here. I'm not a relief pitcher relief pitcher n. Baseball A pitcher who replaces another during a game. Noun 1. relief pitcher - a pitcher who does not start the game fireman, reliever .'' It's a little more complicated than that, though. Perez is coming off September shoulder surgery, has yet to throw off a mound (he's wants to do that Friday) and is weeks from throwing breaking balls. But that didn't dampen his optimism. Nor did the fact general manager Kevin Malone
Kevin Malone is a fictional character from the US television series, The Office. He is played by Brian Baumgartner. said recently he didn't think Perez would be ready for spring training. In fact, Perez could be headed for extended spring training. Or a release, if things don't work out this spring. But Perez has different thoughts. He said his shoulder felt better than it has in years, and for the umpteenth time said he believes he'll show the world he's capable of pitching to the expectations of the three-year, $15.6-million contract he signed before the 1999 season. Of course, there are other matters, particularly that Perez was 5-8 with a 5.56 ERA last season. And he's 7-18 with a 6.28 ERA in the first two years of his contract. But one thing Perez wants no part of is going to the bullpen. ``They know I can be a starter,'' said Perez, who's guaranteed $7.5 million this season. ``If I don't do "I Don't Do" was the debut single by glamour model Michelle Marsh, released on 6 November 2006. The single reached 27 in the UK in its first week, selling only 9,000 copies and over 16,000 copies as of January 2007. The single spend a total of four weeks in the Top 75. my job starting, they can do something. . . . But I'm going to be in the rotation. That's why I'm here.'' Gagne's situation is the opposite. The 25-year-old figures heavily in the Dodgers' future plans, just not now. He went 4-6 with a 5.15 ERA last season and got some good experience. The club was prepared to make Gagne the fifth starter before they signed Martinez in January. Instead, the Dodgers wouldn't mind sending Gagne to Triple-A Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. for more experience and call him up for spot starts or to fill in, in case of an injury. Like Perez, though, Gagne has other plans. ``I feel it's open for that fifth spot,'' Gagne said. ``Bottom line is it's going to be whoever performs in spring training. I think I have a chance.'' All of which means nothing if Martinez, who was 10-8 with 6.13 ERA with Boston last season, is healthy. --Beltre mending slowly: Third baseman third baseman n. Baseball The infielder stationed near third base. Noun 1. third baseman - (baseball) the person who plays third base third sacker Adrian Beltre was among the group of players to report with injuries under rehabilitation. He's 15 pounds under his playing weight of 215. Of course, that's a considerable improvement from the 191 pounds he weighed a few weeks ago when he was flown from the Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (dəmĭn`ĭkən), republic (2005 est. pop. 8,950,000), 18,700 sq mi (48,442 sq km), West Indies, on the eastern two thirds of the island of Hispaniola. The capital and largest city is Santo Domingo. and admitted into Centinela Hospital Medical Center so team doctors could care for him. He was hospitalized for more than two weeks. Beltre had emergency appendectomy Appendectomy Definition Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix. The appendix is a worm-shaped hollow pouch attached to the cecum, the beginning of the large intestine. surgery Jan. 12 in the Dominican Republic but developed a postsurgery infection. He won't be able to eat solid food for another week. Beltre, 21, isn't expected to participate in drills for at least another week, and team physician Dr. Michael Mellman said the team wants to take its time. ``There's some things we won't do right away because you have to remember that when we're talking about conditioning, we're talking about putting him on a bicycle or a treadmill,'' Mellman said. ``Could he swing a bat, could he throw now? The answer is yes. Are we going to do that right away? No.'' --Odds and ends: Dodgers officials say right-hander Mike Judd Michael Galen Judd (born June 30, 1975, in San Diego, California) was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 9th round of the 1995 MLB amateur draft, Judd would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on is also in the mix for the fifth-starter spot, but he clearly is in the background. The club is trying to trade Judd, who is out of minor-league options. The Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are a professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the White Sox have played in U.S. have shown the most interest, sources said, but his value is low because if he doesn't make the Dodgers opening-day roster, every other team will have a chance to claim him off waivers. . . . The Dodgers paid $300,000 to Ronald Camacho to settle a civil lawsuit filed in Chicago and stemming from a brawl May 16 at Wrigley Field, ending all the litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. from the incident. Insurance will cover the cost of the settlement. . . . Today marks the first workout for pitchers and catchers, but right-hander Kevin Brown has been given permission to arrive Saturday to give him time to take care of family matters elsewhere. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: CARLOS PEREZ Pitcher coming off shoulder surgery wants to be Dodgers' fifth starter but could wind up in extended spring training |
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