BASEBALL DAILY REPORT

Third baseman Tim Wallach, a five-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner and the Comeback Player of the Year, was left with an empty feeling last week that his greatest dream would be left unfulfilled.

Wallach, who said he plans to retire at season’s end, received one last opportunity Thursday when he agreed to a minor-league contract with the Dodgers. He will begin playing tonight at Class-A San Bernardino and will join the Dodgers by Aug. 5.

“He told me that his dream is to play in the World Series,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “I can’t think of a better dream to share.”

Said Wallach: “If they [the Dodgers] weren’t in [the division race], I probably wouldn’t come back. And if I was going to come back, L.A. is the only team I would have wanted to come back to. I can’t think of a better way to go out. I’m very, very excited about this.”

The acquisition of Wallach ends the Dodgers’ search for a third baseman, Claire said, but he did not rule out the possibility of a trade by the July 31 deadline. The Dodgers still have an interest in left-handed hitting outfielder Jim Eisenreich of the Philadelphia Phillies and center fielder Brian McRae of the Chicago Cubs.

Wallach realizes that rookie Mike Busch will remain the starting third baseman until further notice, and said that he has no problem with a backup role.

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Dodger starter Tom Candiotti was placed on the 15-day disabled list with his bruised right elbow and will be eligible to return Aug. 4. He will be replaced in the rotation by Chan Ho Park, who will start Saturday against the Houston Astros. Reliever Darren Dreifort was recalled and will take Park’s spot in the bullpen.

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Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda is scheduled to meet today with Dr. Michael Mellman and Dr. Anthony Reid, who are expected to inform him whether he’s healthy enough to return to his job.

Claire and Dodger President Peter O’Malley are to meet with Lasorda today to determine if Lasorda will return.

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Third baseman Mike Blowers will undergo knee surgery Aug. 2 at Centinela Medical Center. . . . Dreifort, who has not been in the major leagues since June 23, 1994, missing all of last season while recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery, will not pitch on successive days.