Dreifort Gets Rave Reviews

Dodger infielder John Wehner walked out of the batting cage shaking his head. Infielder Eddie Williams started laughing. Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president, couldn’t help but break into an expansive grin.

Reliever Darren Dreifort was pitching batting practice, and now that he is fully recovered after his major reconstructive elbow surgery, National League batters could be in trouble.

“I call him the ultimate humbler,” Wehner said. “I had never seen him pitch in my life, but I’ve heard so many stories. Now, I know what everybody has been talking about. He’s got more movement on his ball than anyone I’ve ever seen in my life.

“It’s kind of scary when a guy can just throw batting practice and it’s impossible to hit it.”

Dreifort is expected to be the setup man for closer Todd Worrell, and considering that this is Worrell’s final year on his contract, he could possibly be the closer in 1998.

“He’s got the nastiest stuff, ever,” Williams said. “You can ask any of the guys I played with in San Diego. They’ll tell you the same thing. We used to laugh at how ridiculous he could make you look.

“I’ve never faced anybody who threw like that.”

Dreifort, who pitched 19 games last season, says that his arm feels the best it has in three years.

“I used to have doubt whether I could come back and be the way I was, but now those doubts are gone,” said Dreifort, 24. “It’s hard to take two years off at this age, but at least I got it over with. There should be nothing stopping me now.”

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Catcher Mike Piazza and first baseman Eric Karros, each of whom will be dropped one spot in the batting order to make room for Raul Mondesi in the No. 3 spot, believe the lineup will be greatly enhanced if Mondesi can make the transition.

“I think it’s great because I’ll be able to drive in more runs from the cleanup spot and that’s my game,” Piazza said. “It will really help out Eric too.

Said Karros: “If Mondy can do it, believe me, that would be ideal.”

Mondesi has a career .302 batting average and .517 slugging percentage from the third spot in the order.

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Piazza unveiled a new catcher’s mask that resembles those worn by hockey goalies and will wear it during the regular season. . . . Pedro Astacio will start the spring-training opener Friday against the Atlanta Braves, but Ramon Martinez is tentatively scheduled to be the opening-day starter against the Philadelphia Phillies.