Struggling Garcia Still Adjusting

Left fielder Karim Garcia has struggled since being called up from Albuquerque on June 12.

Garcia had five hits in 28 at-bats (.179) with 10 strikeouts going into Wednesday night’s game against the Rockies. He struck out with a runner on second and two outs in his first at-bat.

Garcia has one hit in 13 home at-bats.

“I’ve been working with Reggie Smith and Manny Mota because I’m chasing more pitches now than when I started,” Garcia said. “I’ve only had 28 at-bats, so it’s still really early. I’m still in an adjustment period.”

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Closer Todd Worrell was back in uniform after missing three games because of stomach flu.

Worrell, who said he lost five to eight pounds because he couldn’t keep food down, was admitted to Centinela Hospital Medical Center on Monday to receive intravenous fluids.

“I’m a lot better than I was a few days ago,” Worrell said. “I was going to play with it until it got worse, but they didn’t want me infecting the team.”

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Ramon Martinez, out indefinitely because of a shoulder injury, said he’s improving.

“I have less pain and I’m getting better,” said Martinez, who went on the disabled list Monday retroactive to June 15.

TONIGHT’S GAME

* Opponent--San Diego Padres, four games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Time--Tonight, 7 p.m.

* TV--Fox Sports West tonight. Fox Sports West 2 Friday and Sunday. Channel 11 Saturday.

* Radio--KABC (790), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 38-38, Padres 32-44.

* Record vs. Padres--0-3.

DODGERS’ TOM CANDIOTTI (4-2, 2.33 ERA) vs. PADRES’ SEAN BERGMAN (1-2, 4.80 ERA).

* Update--Candiotti, who began the season in the bullpen, will make his second start since replacing Ramon Martinez in the rotation. Candiotti threw seven shutout innings in Saturday’s 11-0 victory at San Francisco, giving up four hits with six strikeouts and one walk. He made 27 starts last season, going 9-11 with a 4.49 ERA. Dodger catcher Mike Piazza, who had a two-run home run in the first inning and a third-inning single Wednesday night against the Rockies, has 30 multi-hit games. The Dodgers have had at least one extra-base hit in 54 consecutive games. San Diego’s Tony Gwynn is hitting .398. Wally Joyner has multiple hits in six of his last eight games. Steve Finley is hitting .600 with three home runs and five RBIs in his last four games.

* Friday 7 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (5-4, 3.19 ERA) vs. Joey Hamilton (4-3, 4.58 ERA).

* Saturday 1 p.m.--Hideo Nomo (7-6, 3.69 ERA) vs. Undecided.

* Sunday 1 p.m.--Pedro Astacio (3-7, 4.21 ERA) vs. Danny Jackson (1-5, 7.32 ERA).