Lasorda to Start Search

Tom Lasorda, the Dodgers’ interim general manager, plans to interview candidates to succeed him while he accompanies the team on its current trip.

Lasorda is expected to meet with Florida Marlin General Manager Dave Dombrowski and Dean Taylor, assistant general manager of the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers play the Marlins in a two-game series beginning Thursday and finish their seven-game trip with three games at Atlanta.

The Dodgers recently received permission from several teams to speak with candidates about the job Lasorda is intent on vacating at season’s end.

“When [team president] Bob Graziano asked me to take this job, I told him I would always do anything I could to help the Dodgers,” Lasorda said. “But Bob and I knew that I would only do this job on an interim basis, just long enough to try to improve the team and help him find someone to take over.

“That’s what I’m doing now. I’m going to do some interviews to find out how different guys work, and see how they might be able to help us.”

Lasorda is eager to fill the position. He turns 71 on Sept. 22 and believes the job should be occupied by someone younger. Lasorda prefers to advise Graziano and the new general manager, avoiding the position’s daily mundane tasks.

“I think it’s important to have someone in place by then [the end of the season] to give him time to get acclimated,” Lasorda said. “You don’t want someone coming in feeling like they’re in a hurry to get everything done.”

Graziano says he will continue to seek Lasorda’s opinions.

“Tommy is a very important part of the organization and will continue to be,” Graziano said. “When I asked Tommy to take the [interim] job and help in the search process for a successor, it was with the understanding that Tommy would continue on in some capacity.”

*

Pitcher Ismael Valdes might be closer to beginning a rehabilitation assignment after throwing 30 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday.

Valdes has been sidelined the last 20 games with a strained stomach muscle. Manager Glenn Hoffman said the right-hander might start for Class-A Vero Beach on Friday if he doesn’t experience pain today.

*

Bullpen coach John Shelby has assumed coaching responsibilities at first base, Hoffman said. Batting instructor Mickey Hatcher has been moved to the dugout because Hoffman wants him to be available to players while the Dodgers are batting.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

BRIAN BOHANON

(6-7, 2.75 ERA)

vs.

PIRATES’

TODD VAN POPPEL

(1-1, 5.19 ERA)

Three Rivers Stadium, 4 p.m. PDT

Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330)

* Update--Bohanon is 4-3 with a 2.25 ERA in seven starts with the Dodgers. The left-hander pitched a season-high eight innings in defeating the Florida Marlins, 5-2, in his most recent start last Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. Bohanon is emerging as a stopper, ending three-game losing streaks with victories in his last two starts. “It always makes you feel good when you can pick your team up,” Bohanon said. “We’re battling [for victories] right now, and I’m just trying to do my part.”