New Man Bohanon Is New Starter

Tom Lasorda’s search for a fifth starter ended Friday when the Dodger interim general manager acquired left-hander Brian Bohanon from the New York Mets for middle reliever Greg McMichael, who began the season with the Mets.

Bohanon is scheduled to pitch Sunday against San Diego. He assumes the spot left vacant in the starting rotation last Saturday when pitcher Dennis Reyes and Paul Konerko were traded to the Cincinnati Reds for closer Jeff Shaw.

Bohanon was with the Mets in New York on Friday and is expected to arrive in Los Angeles today.

McMichael returns to the Mets after being acquired June 4 along with Dave Mlicki for Hideo Nomo and Brad Clontz. McMichael, whom the Mets considered their most valuable reliever last season, was replaced on the 25-man roster by reliever Darren Hall, who has been sidelined since April 8 with a right rotator cuff tear.

“We needed a guy, and the Mets wanted him [McMichael], so we made the deal,” Lasorda said. “I checked with a few guys about him [Bohanon], and I talked to a couple of guys who played with him. He’s a pretty good pitcher.”

Former executive vice president Fred Claire tried to acquire the versatile Bohanon, 29, in the Nomo trade last month. Bohanon is 2-4 with a 3.15 earned-run average in 25 games for the Mets.

He has gone 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts. Bohanon, who has spent parts of eight seasons in the major leagues, signed a one-year, $350,000 contract last season and will be eligible for free agency after the season.

Bohanon started against the Padres on May 14 during the second game of a doubleheader at San Diego. He gave up five hits and two runs in six innings in the Padres’ 6-2 victory.

McMichael, 31, is 1-3 with a 4.14 ERA in 34 relief appearances.

In 12 games with the Dodgers, McMichael was 0-1 with a 4.40 ERA and a save. Hall is 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA.

McMichael said that being traded back to the Mets completes his dizzying Dodger experience.

“We all know that baseball is a crazy game,” McMichael said, “and we’ve seen a lot of things this year that we haven’t seen before.”

*

There’s nothing new on the Randy Johnson trade front, but Lasorda is remaining busy by trying to acquire slugger Rafael Palmeiro of the Baltimore Orioles, who is in the final year of his contract.

He has spoken with Baltimore officials about the all-star first baseman, who is owed about $3 million of his $6,539,497 salary this season. The Orioles have the highest payroll in major league history at more than $70 million, and they are expected to start unloading high-priced veterans because they are struggling in the AL East.

Because of the presence of Eric Karros, Palmeiro would likely play left field if Lasorda can complete a deal.

As for Johnson, the Padres and Cleveland Indians are also pursuing the Mariner star. And Lasorda might not have enough prospects remaining to complete two more big trades.

DODGERS’

ISMAEL VALDES

(6-8, 4.19 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’

ANDY ASHBY

(11-5, 2.54 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports West 2. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Valdes has been impressive at home, going 4-1 with a 2.51 ERA in five starts at Dodger Stadium. Ashby was among the National League’s best starters in the first half.