AROUND THE MAJORS : DODGERS : Claire Plans Talk, No Action at Break

Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, plans to participate in trade talks during the All-Star break but said it’s unlikely he will deal.

“We’ll look to see if there are ways we can improve ourselves,” Claire said. “But I’ll be very reluctant to trade any young player. Just as I refused to trade Ismael Valdes the last few years, these kids are too important to our future. We’re building to contend for a number of years, not just this year.”

If the Dodgers make a move, it probably will be to shore up their bullpen or acquire a fifth starter. Their fifth starters have won only one game in 13 starts, and closer Todd Worrell has been the only consistent relief pitcher.

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Armand Arabian, 59, a California Supreme Court Justice and lifelong Dodger fan, proudly reports that he has the perfect name for what Hideo Nomo is doing to National League batters.

“Hyp nomo tion.”

“These batters are hypnotized by Nomo’s motion,” Arabian said. “He’s mesmerizing them in double figures each day. It’s a hypnotic thing.”

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Leo Mazzone, pitching coach for the Atlanta Braves, can’t help but take satisfaction in seeing Nomo’s unconventional routine of throwing twice between starts, once the day before he pitches.

Mazzone has preached that routine for years. And the Braves, who annually have the league’s finest pitching staff, have religiously followed it.

“I love it,” Mazzone said, after seeing Nomo’s routine. “I know some pitching coaches and managers must wonder what he’s doing, but I think it helps you. It gives you a better feel when you take the mound.”

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The Dodgers optioned outfielder Roger Cedeno to triple-A Albuquerque after the game and recalled outfielder Todd Hollandsworth. Hollandsworth broke his right hand May 3 and was on a rehabilitation assignment at Albuquerque.

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First baseman Eric Karros was one of the three strikeout victims by Brave closer Mark Wohlers in the ninth inning Wednesday night.

“It was the first time in my life I walked away from my at-bat feeling completely overmatched,” Karros said. “It was sick.”

There was a reason for Karros’ helpless feeling. Wohlers’ strikeout pitch was clocked at 101 m.p.h.

Wohlers has stuck out 36 batters in his last 23 2/3 innings.