BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Versatile Valdes Is the Talk of the Team

His name is Ismael Valdes. They call him the Rocket. He throws every pitch, and most times, the hitter has no idea what’s coming.

His last name was misspelled in last year’s Dodger media guide. This year, his name is brought up every morning in organizational meetings. It’s his versatility that has the Dodgers wondering what to do.

Valdes, 21, originally was scheduled to be the fourth starter. Then the bullpen went sour, and the Dodgers thought he could help the team more in the bullpen. Now, the starting rotation has struggled, and they wonder if they’d be better off with him in the rotation.

“His name’s been coming up quite a bit,” pitching coach Dave Wallace said after Friday’s 8-7 victory over the Houston Astros. “But we still don’t know where we’ll use him. But I will tell you this: Ismael Valdes is very valuable to us, and whatever role he’s in, he’s going to help us in a big way.”

The Dodgers are convinced that Valdes, who has given up only one hit in 4 1/3 innings this spring, will be an outstanding major league starter. They already are counting on him as part of their rotation in 1996.

“Hey, I don’t care where they put me, as long as I’m on the team,” said Valdes, born and raised in Victoria, Mexico. “I have confidence in myself now. I know I can do the job wherever they put me.”

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The Dodgers released left-handed reliever Al Osuna and waived Ed Vosberg. They will go with left-handers Omar Daal and Rob Murphy in the bullpen.

They also have decided that Antonio Osuna will be given an opportunity to occasionally share the closer’s role with veteran Todd Worrell.

Antonio Osuna, 22, has given up only two hits in five innings this spring, striking out five and walking none. Worrell, the team’s highest-paid player with a $4.25-million salary, has a 6.75 ERA and opponents are batting .368 against him.

“I’m not afraid to go to (Osuna) in any situation,” Wallace said. “He’s ready for anything.”

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The Dodgers are becoming concerned about third baseman Tim Wallach. He played in his second game Friday but had to leave after his second at-bat because of stiffness in his back. Wallach has only four at-bats this spring. . . . Ramon Martinez, the opening-day starter, gave up six hits and five runs (four earned) in four innings Friday. He has a 6.75 ERA this spring in three games, including one extended-spring game. . . . Second baseman Garey Ingram, who has spent 26 games in the big leagues, has emerged as the leading candidate as the extra infielder on the three-week expanded roster. The 16 position players expected to open the season with the Dodgers: infielders Eric Karros, Delino DeShields, Jose Offerman, Wallach, Dick Schofield, Dave Hansen, Jeff Treadway and Ingram; outfielders Raul Mondesi, Billy Ashley, Henry Rodriguez, Todd Hollandsworth, Mitch Webster and Chris Gwynn; catchers Mike Piazza and Carlos Hernandez. The 12 pitchers expected to open the season: starters Martinez, Tom Candiotti, Pedro Astacio, Hideo Nomo and Valdes or Chan Ho Park; relievers Worrell, Antonio Osuna, Rudy Seanez, Greg Hansell, Murphy, Daal and Todd Williams.