Dodger Notebook : Reuss, Hoping to Make Club, Goes Eight Against Teammates

Jerry Reuss had just pitched what was the equivalent of eight innings here Monday in something that vaguely resembled an intrasquad game and was asked to evaluate his performance. “It’s a good question--but to the wrong person,” Reuss said. “I can’t read their minds. Ask them.”

Reuss meant Tom Lasorda, the Dodger manager, and Al Campanis, the vice president in charge of player personnel. This week, they must determine who will be the club’s fifth starting pitcher and which of 11 pitchers to drop from the 10-man staff.

Recent indications are that Reuss will go 0 for 2, missing not only the starting rotation but the entire staff. Alejandro Pena has given up only one earned run in 18 innings, and management also has been impressed with Tim Leary, despite a few shaky outings.

Monday, though, Reuss may have improved his chances with a solid performance in the loosely arranged intrasquad game. Reuss, 37, gave up 10 hits and 2 runs in perhaps his strongest spring outing.

He had been scheduled to pitch against the Boston Red Sox in Winter Haven, but Chain O’ Lakes Park resembled one of those lakes after a steady downpour Sunday night and the game was canceled. Lasorda changed the rules of baseball at will during the squad game, giving a team four outs one inning, five the next, and having players bat for both teams.

All Campanis said about Reuss’ performance Monday was that “he threw better today.” The performance certainly was better than Reuss’ last outing a week ago in a minor league game, when he gave up four runs in seven innings. Reuss also suffered a minor injury that day when he fell over a tarp at Holman Stadium.

Lasorda said that no decision has been reached about a fifth starter and that it probably won’t be made until the weekend, when the Dodgers meet the Angels in the Freeway series. Reuss is scheduled to pitch Sunday, along with Leary.

Lasorda’s opinion of Reuss on Monday: “Other than the first inning (one run allowed on three hits), I thought he pitched good.”

It still may not be good enough to earn Reuss the fifth starting spot, though. Reuss says he does not like to speculate on his precarious situation, and he reiterated that a spot in the bullpen does not appeal to him.

He said: “I tell you what I wish: I wish I could go out there and pitch without worrying about my job or the supposed competition with my teammates. But it hasn’t been that way.

“I’m not thinking about my situation out on the mound or in the clubhouse. I only think about it when somebody brings it up.

“You have to keep in mind that spring training is for getting yourself ready for the season,” Reuss said. “It shouldn’t be for judgment. The way it’s been presented to me--and the way you guys (reporters) see it--is that every time I put on a uniform that I have to prove myself.

“All of that is subjective to whatever decision will be made. And it’s not my decision.”

Should he lose his starting spot to Pena or Leary, Reuss might be asked to go to the bullpen. Or the club might decide to cut Reuss and therefore pay him a guaranteed $1 million--and a $400,000 buyout next season--for not pitching.

“The only way I can approach my job is as a starter,” Reuss said. “I can’t think of what-ifs about the bullpen. I’m looking at it with tunnel vision about being a starter.”

A spot as a long or middle reliever for Reuss is something Lasorda is considering, though.

“If I think he’s going to have to be in the bullpen, I’d sit down and tell him he has to be--if that possibility comes up,” Lasorda said. “But I think it’s good that he is thinking like a starter.”

Dodger Notes Another roster decision the Dodgers must make involves utility infielders. Dave Anderson had missed almost two weeks with a flare-up of a back problem that he had in 1985. The Dodgers have considered putting Anderson on the disabled list to open the season and keeping either Tracy Woodson, who plays first and third; Jeff Hamilton, a third baseman, or Brad Wellman, who plays second base or shortstop. But Anderson played in Monday’s game and reported no stiffness or soreness. “I felt really good for the first time out,” Anderson said. “The whole thing is how I feel tomorrow.”