Bonilla Has New Outlook When He Returns to Lineup

Bobby Bonilla walked through the Dodger clubhouse Thursday afternoon smiling and laughing, which he does often.

But the typically upbeat Bonilla was more ebullient than usual--and with good reason. Bonilla was reveling in anticipation of being activated today from the 15-day disabled list after overcoming an intestinal infection that physicians initially feared could be cancer-related.

Bonilla expects to start at third base tonight in the opener of the Dodgers’ three-game series against the San Francisco Giants at 3Com Park. And after what Bonilla has been through, one could understand his especially optimistic outlook.

“When you go through something like this, you can’t help but look at things a little differently,” said Bonilla, who Thursday finished taking medication for his intestinal infection. “You appreciate everything more because it hits you how quickly everything can change.

“Things like being with your wife, spending time with your kids. . . . It really hits you hard when you hear a word like that [cancer]. I already had a good outlook on life before, but this has made it even better.”

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National League officials Thursday applied pressure to the Dodgers to have outfielder Gary Sheffield attend Monday’s opening All-Star game festivities at Coors Field in Denver.

The Dodgers had granted Sheffield--the team’s lone representative in the game--permission to arrive Tuesday because he wanted to spent time with his family in St. Petersburg, Fla. In a compromise, the Dodgers offered to pay the expenses to have Sheffield’s parents and three children attend the game.

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Catcher Paul LoDuca is expected to be optioned to triple-A Albuquerque to make room for Bonilla on the 25-man roster. LoDuca was recalled from Albuquerque on Wednesday when left-hander Dennis Reyes was optioned to Class-A San Bernardino.

* Opponent--San Francisco Giants, three games.

* Site--3Com Park, San Francisco.

* Tonight--7:30.

* TV--Channel 5 today, Sunday; Channel 11 Saturday.

* Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 42-42, Giants 50-36.

* 1997 record vs. Giants--6-6.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

ISMAEL VALDES

(6-7, 4.10 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’

OREL HERSHISER

(6-6, 3.84 ERA)

* Update--The Dodgers acknowledge that catching the National League West-leading San Diego Padres won’t be easy, and that’s not realistically on their agenda at the moment. But because of the wild-card playoff format, the Dodgers believe their season isn’t over despite being stuck in third place in the division. They trail the Giants by seven games in the wild-card race, and here’s an opportunity to close that gap. “This is what baseball is about--a big weekend series right before the All-Star break,” Manager Glenn Hoffman said. “We’re chasing them, and we’re going in there with a chance to gain some momentum going into the break.” Valdes has been outstanding in his last four starts, going 2-0 with a 1.19 earned-run average. He has thrown two complete-game shutouts during that span, including a one-hitter in a 2-0 victory last Saturday over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. The Giants announced Thursday they’re expecting a sellout crowd of 60,000 for today’s series opener, and the presence of Hershiser--a former Dodger hero in his first season with the rival Giants--is partly responsible (along with fireworks). After struggling in April, Hershiser went 5-0 with a 0.86 ERA in May, and was selected the National League pitcher of the month. But he has lost his last four decisions.

* Saturday, 1 p.m.--Dave Mlicki (3-4, 4.40) vs. Mark Gardner (7-3, 4.95).

* Sunday, 1:45 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (5-6, 3.55) vs. Shawn Estes (6-7, 4.28).