Dodger Notebook : Odd Man Will Be Out, but Talented Pitchers Make Decision Tough

Every day, the Dodgers’ pitching situation becomes more difficult to figure out, and Manager Tom Lasorda won’t even speculate on which pitchers will make the club when spring training ends in two weeks.

It all seems simple enough:

The Dodgers have 11 pitchers on their roster, and they will only keep 10. There are three fighting for the fifth spot in the starting rotation--or, as an alternative, work as a long reliever--and the fact that all are throwing well this spring is making the choice difficult.

Lasorda provided no answers Monday, after the Dodgers beat the Houston Astros, 2-1. But it’s not because he hasn’t thought about it.

“I tell you what, I can give you eight of them,” said Lasorda, who followed by saying he would not name the eight. “I’d say it’s too early. I think it’s only fair that we wait until the ultimate moment before deciding.”

That ultimate moment, as Lasorda says, could be April 1, when the Dodgers end spring training and return to Los Angeles. Or it could be April 5, after the final game of the Freeway Series. Or it could be the day when the Dodgers trade one or more of their pitchers for a center fielder, if talks progress.

Lasorda and Al Campanis, Dodger vice president, basically have remained noncommittal about whom they favor. But after four weeks of spring training, the contenders are starting to sort themselves out.

It’s a good bet that Brian Holton, an erstwhile candidate for the starting rotation, will make the staff as a long and middle reliever. Monday, Holton gave up his first run in 10 spring innings when Paul Householder hit a home run to right field. But Holton looked strong pitching on consecutive days, which is a prerequisite for a pitcher vying for a middle reliever role.

“I think Holton’s going to make the team,” Campanis said. “I’m impressed with him.”

Holton sounds confident but says he won’t take anything for granted. “I haven’t been told anything yet, but I think I’ve got a good chance,” he said. “In a roundabout way, they’ve liked my pitching. . . . I felt better today, after pitching yesterday, than I have all spring. I know I can pitch two days in a row.” Lasorda complicates matters by suggesting that Holton could also contend as a starter. That probably won’t happen, though.

The three pitchers battling for the final spot are Tim Leary, Jerry Reuss and Alejandro Pena.

Leary, the leader in the clubhouse all spring, has been inconsistent this spring. Pena has pitched exceptionally well, but that has just fueled trade speculation. Reuss, however, has impressed Campanis the least.

Monday’s editions of the Pasadena Star-News quoted Campanis as saying: “Right now, we’re disappointed in Reuss. His stock is pretty low. There has been a little (trade) interest, but it’ll probably cost us some money (part of Reuss’ $1-million salary) if we make a deal.”

Late Monday afternoon, Campanis made a special trip to the Dodgertown press room to deny making the comment.

“Why would I say this,” an angry Campanis said. “I’ve been in the game too (bleep) long to do that. I give you my word of honor. That would be a ridiculous statement to make, especially if we’re trying to trade him.”

Responded Matt McHale, the Star-News reporter: “I had my pen out and was writing down every word.”

When the Dodgers leave today for a two-day trip to the Gulf Coast, Reuss will stay behind to pitch for San Antonio, the club’s Double-A team, against Albuquerque, the Triple-A team.

Ron Perranoski, the Dodger pitching coach, said that decision was made because the Dodgers have too many pitchers and not enough games to work them. Rick Honeycutt, for example, pitched in a B game Sunday.

Both Lasorda and Campanis say Reuss is pitching well. Reuss has given up four earned runs in 11 innings.

“I’ve got to give them all some more time before we decide,” Lasorda said. “Let’s put it this way: I haven’t made my mind up yet on a fifth starter.”

Apparently, however, there is no need to worry about Fernando Valenzuela.

Valenzuela, who had given up 10 earned runs in 12 previous innings, was superb Monday against the Astros, pitching six shutout innings. Valenzuela gave up only one walk, hit a batter and struck out six. He’s working on a streak of nine shutout innings.

“I thought the same of Fernando today as the day when he got the (bleep) kicked out of him early in camp,” Perranoski said. “He just uses spring training to get himself ready for the season.”