Gagne Wants to Return Next Season

Dodger shortstop Greg Gagne, who has an informal invitation to return next season, said he is strongly leaning toward returning for one more season.

Gagne, who has played for three teams in his career, said he would just as soon retire if he did not return to the Dodgers.

“It’s a thing where it would probably be here, or nowhere,” Gagne said. “I don’t want to move my family again. It’s too tough.

“I really think I’d like to stay one more year, but I’ll decide for sure when the season ends. First, I have to make it through this year. My body has a lot of wear and tear on it. This year has been tough.”

Gagne signed a one-year, $2.6 million free-agent contract with the Dodgers during the winter, rejecting a two-year proposal so that he could decide whether he wanted to return another season. Jim Bronner, Gagne’s agent, is in town, but said there have been no negotiations with the Dodgers.

The Dodgers believe Juan Castro can eventually be Gagne’s successor. Yet, scouts and the coaching staff believe Castro needs one more year before he’s ready to be an everyday player.

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Outfielder Rick Parker, 33, devastated a year ago when he was released from the organization Aug. 31 instead of being a part of the playoff stretch, hopes that he can show the Dodgers he deserves the opportunity to stay around this time.

“This is a nice surprise,” said Parker, who received the news Monday from Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “I just hope I can see the end this time. It was tough last year, being sent home so late. I wanted to be a part, then the playoffs start, and their games weren’t even on TV. I had to check up on them with the CNN updates.

“I’m just so glad to get back. I mean, when I hurt my hamstring [April 19], I said, ‘Watch, somebody will get hurt.’ Two days later, Billy Ashley went down, and there went my chance.”

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Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda, who successfully passed a series of tests Tuesday, said he will undergo a complete physical Thursday. He is scheduled to meet with doctors Friday, who will inform him whether he will be able to return to the team. “Anxiously waiting,” said Lasorda. “That will be a big day.” If cleared, Lasorda could return Tuesday in the first game of the Dodger homestand. . . . Alan Meersand, the agent for recently released third baseman Tim Wallach, said the Dodgers have yet to express interest in Wallach. “I called Fred [Claire] and told him to give me a call if he has interest in Tim, but I’m still waiting.”. . . . Wallach, who asked for his release rather than sit on the Angel bench, is expected to clear waivers Thursday. . . . Center fielder Brett Butler, who will complete his six weeks of radiation treatments Monday, said he will travel to Los Angeles the following day to be examined by Dr. Frank Jobe. If he receives medical clearance, he hopes to begin working out Aug. 4 with physical therapist Mackie Shilstone in New Orleans. . . . Todd Hollandsworth, who is batting .407 in the last 24 games, was benched Tuesday night and expects to sit again Thursday as the Dodgers aren’t ready to let him start against left-handers. Dodger right fielder Raul Mondesi left Tuesday’s game in the seventh inning with a bruised right shin but is expected to return to the lineup tonight.