Dodger Notebook : Reuss, 37, Won’t Give Up Without a Fight

Jerry Reuss’ hair is in that awkward stage between blond and gray, but his exuberance stamps him as young. So, other than consulting his birth certificate, there is no quick way of telling Reuss’ age.

Reuss, who at 37 is the oldest and most experienced Dodger, certainly isn’t pitching this spring like a man whose age and left elbow seemingly caught up with him last season.

After a winter of rebuilding and rehabilitating his elbow following surgery to remove bone spurs, Reuss is trying to build up his chances of keeping his tenuous position as the Dodgers’ fifth starting pitcher.

Newly acquired Tim Leary and continually recovering Alejandro Pena are the competition this spring. Both appear to be throwing just as well as Reuss so far and both are a decade younger than Reuss.

Reuss says he knows what he’s up against, and he also says he’s not ready to give up his spot in the starting rotation. After all, Reuss has recovered quite well from two previous elbow operations and continued a productive career.

“I’m fine,” Reuss said after his first workout against batters a couple of days ago. “The elbow feels fine. I’m throwing the ball well. The only way I can influence (Manager Tom Lasorda’s) thinking or anyone else’s is by pitching well. But as far as making the decision of the fifth guy, I can’t say.

“There’s four (starters) who are set, and then who knows? I can’t think about that.”

The Dodgers seemingly had the fifth starter on their minds all winter. When the club acquired Leary from the Milwaukee Brewers in the Greg Brock trade, Vice President Al Campanis said that Leary and Pena would battle for the final starting spot.

What about Reuss?

Campanis now says he considered Reuss a candidate all along. And Campanis said Reuss is looking the best he has seen him in more than a year.

“He doesn’t have that hitch in his delivery, and I’ve noticed his curveball is looking really good,” Campanis said. “He can still help us.”

The question is: In what capacity?

One or possibly both of the runners-up for the fifth spot will become a long reliever. The alternative is putting one of the three on the trading block.

Reuss does not like the bullpen, and the $1.4 million in guaranteed salary the club owes him over the next two seasons might scare off teams interested in a trade. And the cost-conscious Dodgers probably wouldn’t even consider eating the salary.

“I haven’t considered (the bullpen),” Reuss said. “That’s a situation that is out of my control. I’m not going to deal in what-ifs. I’d rather deal with what is.”

The reality for Reuss is that he no longer has as imposing a fastball as Leary and an uninjured Pena have.

But Reuss isn’t conceding anything. He says that spring training games, which will begin Saturday, should be the determining factor, not age or size of contracts.

“I won’t really know how effectively I can still pitch until I go against opposing batters in live situations,” Reuss said. “Then, we’ll find out.”

Dodger Notes Orel Hershiser and Tim Leary are scheduled to pitch three innings each in Saturday’s spring training exhibition opener against the Houston Astros in Kissimmee. Jim Deshaies will start for the Astros. . . . Pedro Guerrero is leaving camp March 20 to return to the Dominican Republic and will miss three days. But unlike past years, when Guerrero left to attend to personal business, he is part of a group of Dodger players, coaches and executives who will attend the opening of the club’s Dominican baseball academy, “Campo Las Palmas.” The contingent also will include owner Peter O’Malley, Executive Vice President Fred Claire, Manager Tom Lasorda, coach Manny Mota and players Mariano Duncan and Alejandro Pena. . . . Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela has been selected Mexico’s man of the year and will be inducted into the country’s hall of fame March 30. Valenzuela will be unable to attend the ceremony because it is too close to the start of the season. . . . Quarterback Jim McMahon of the Chicago Bears is scheduled to be at Dodgertown today to undergo treatment on his shoulder. McMahon’s doctor is Frank Jobe, the Dodgers’ head physician. . . . The Dodgers will hold their final intra-squad game today. Pitchers working will include Brian Holton, Jerry Reuss, Alejandro Pena and Matt Young. . . . Here’s an unusual sight: Relief pitcher Ken Howell was playing catch with Al Campanis on the sidelines Tuesday morning. “You know, I taught (Johnny) Podres how to throw a changeup in 1955,” Campanis said. “He picked it up real easy.” . . . Nonroster pitcher William Brennan suffered a broken finger on his left (glove) hand fielding a ball during Sunday’s intrasquad game. Brennan is still working out, but he will not be used in a game situation for at least 10 days. . . . Hershiser and fellow pitcher Rick Honeycutt missed Tuesday’s workout to attend a Major League Players’ Assn. pension committee meeting in Fort Lauderdale. . . . Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, the Dodgers’ roving pitching instructor, arrived in camp Tuesday. . . . The Dodgers observed a moment of silence at Holman Stadium during Tuesday’s workout in honor of entertainer Danny Kaye, an ardent Dodger fan who died Tuesday in Los Angeles.