Duncan Sent to Albuquerque, and Wellman Is Called Up

In a surprising move, the Dodgers optioned struggling shortstop Mariano Duncan to Albuquerque following Saturday’s game and recalled infielder Brad Wellman, who is hitting .306 for the club’s Triple-A affiliate.

Wellman, who earlier this season reportedly requested a trade because he thought that the acquisition of veteran infielders Mickey Hatcher and Phil Garner hurt his chances of moving up, will join the Dodgers for today’s game against the Chicago Cubs.

Duncan said Saturday he was surprised by management’s decision. He had been the club’s regular shortstop since early in 1985. But after a series of injuries this season, he has lost his job to Dave Anderson.

“I’m not happy with the situation,” Duncan said. “But what can I say? I knew something was going to happen because I wasn’t playing. I’m just in my third year. (Lasorda) can do anything he wants to me.

“I want to show them I can play. I don’t know what they are thinking. These people can sometimes make my mind crazy . . He says he wants me to work on my hitting, my bunting, getting on base.”

Lasorda said that he and Fred Claire, the club’s vice president, made the move so that Duncan can get the playing time he needs to shake his hitting slump (.216) and fielding problems (17 errors).

Lasorda said Duncan’s poor showing on Thursday night against St. Louis--three errors in one inning--did not prompt the demotion.

“It wasn’t one game,” Lasorda said. “If we had to send him down for one bad game, we’d have done that a long time ago. The coaches, Fred and I just want him to work on his hitting and his bunting. We just feel Mariano needs the work.”