Hall Asks for Trade, but Claire Balks

Relief pitcher Darren Hall, angry about being sent to triple-A Albuquerque because the Dodgers have been unable to trade knuckleballer Tom Candiotti, has asked to be traded but won’t be obliged. Executive Vice President Fred Claire rejected Hall’s request Tuesday.

“He flat-out won’t trade me,” Hall said. “I understand where Fred’s coming from, but I don’t want to be miserable and bitter every day. I never had a bad attitude when I played, but this is the closest I’ve been. I’d love to stay here if they had room, but I want to move on.”

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Center fielder Brett Butler was given permission to go to his Atlanta home and spend two days with his family.

“The verdict is still out,” Butler said of his comeback from cancer. “But I feel I can play one more year. Really, I don’t feel any different than I have the last few years.”

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Several Dodgers were irritated by New York Met Manager Bobby Valentine during the Mets’ 20-7 exhibition rout at Holman Stadium.

Leading, 12-0, after four innings, Valentine had Rey Ordonez and Alex Ochoa stealing bases.

When Dodger Manager Bill Russell looked across the field at him, Valentine yelled, “What the . . . you looking at? I’m just working on our running game.”

The Dodgers promised to remember the incident.

Dodger starter Ismael Valdes yielded 13 hits, 12 earned runs and three homers in 3 2/3 innings.