Mondesi Sore About Not Playing

Center fielder Raul Mondesi is upset because lower back stiffness has sidelined him for the first two games against the New York Mets.

“I want to be out there to help my team, but my back is still bad,” said Mondesi, who doesn’t expect to play during the four-game series.

“It’s getting harder for me to even walk around because of the pain all over. I do my exercises every day, but it still keeps hurting. I wish I could play, but I can’t.”

Mondesi has been working daily with team trainers, trying to relieve the soreness. Manager Glenn Hoffman is being cautious.

“We would hate to lose him for a long time, so we just have to play it safe,” Hoffman said. “It’s one of those things that takes time.”

*

How crazy were the final hours before Friday night’s trading deadline?

According to reports in a New York newspaper, pitchers Chan Ho Park, Dave Mlicki, Antonio Osuna and second baseman Wilton Guerrero, who was traded to the Montreal Expos, were offered to the Seattle Mariners for left-hander Randy Johnson, who wound up with the Houston Astros.

“We stopped talking with the Mariners [four] days ago,” interim General Manager Tom Lasorda said. “We just decided that we weren’t going to get involved. [President] Bob Graziano would throw me in before he would let me trade Chan Ho.”

Park was also amused by the speculation.

“Uh-oh,” Park said. “I better make sure Tommy isn’t mad at me.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ BRIAN BOHANON (4-6, 3.04 ERA) vs. METS’ ARMANDO REYNOSO (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Shea Stadium, 10:30 a.m. PDT

TV--Channel 5. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Bohanon is 2-2 with a 2.82 ERA in four starts since being acquired July 10 from the Mets for middle reliever Greg McMichael. Hideo Nomo was originally scheduled to start today against his former teammates for the first time. Nomo is now expected to start Monday.