Colletti Looking for the Missing Piece

Since his flurry of moves at the non-waiver trading deadline triggered a long Dodgers winning streak, Ned Colletti’s reputation has soared in the estimation of the national media.

The first-year general manager is not resting on his laurels, though. Colletti is scanning the waiver wire every day and working the phones, trying to improve the roster for the stretch run. Shoring up the bullpen and bringing in a left-handed pinch-hitter to complement right-handed Olmedo Saenz are priorities.

The Dodgers have claimed several players on waivers, but each time their teams pulled them back.

“We are trying,” Colletti said. “We’re talking about additional pieces, but I don’t know if it will come to fruition. It’s a longshot.”

Additional help will come from triple-A Las Vegas when rosters expand Sept. 1. Colletti said that only players able to contribute right away will be called up and that no one from double-A Jacksonville will be promoted.

“We’re going to bring players who we think can help,” he said. “Somebody who can start a game here or there. Somebody who can come off the bench, or pitch an inning or get a hitter out.”

He won’t finalize the players who will come up until meeting with Manager Grady Little when the Dodgers return home next week.

“We are playing with the list in our minds,” Colletti said.

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What began as a way to build arm strength has become a plan for the future. Hong-Chih Kuo could report to spring training as a starting pitcher.

The left-hander with the live fastball has made eight starts at Las Vegas, displaying good command and the ability get through the opposing lineup more than once.

“He’s taken to it better than we originally thought he would,” Colletti said. “It’s becoming more and more of an option.”

Kuo, who has had two stints as a Dodgers reliever this season, probably will return to the bullpen when he is promoted Sept. 1 but next spring would become a full-time starter.

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As has become customary the last game before an off day, Little held right fielder J.D. Drew out of the lineup.

But this time the reason had less to do with giving Drew rest than with keeping Julio Lugo in the lineup. Lugo had three of the Dodgers’ five hits Tuesday filling in at third base for Wilson Betemit.

“We need to get him in there more often,” Little said.

Bouncing around from position to position is unsettling to Lugo. But he’s making do.

“To be honest, I’m not a utility player,” he said. “It’s very difficult. But as long as they are using me this way, I’ll do my best.”

Lugo was 0 for 2 before being ejected for throwing his helmet in the fourth inning, dropping his batting average to .301.