Mlicki’s Happier With Tigers

It would have been ideal for former Dodger pitcher Dave Mlicki to settle into his new surroundings with the Detroit Tigers before returning to work.

But the pitching-thin Tigers don’t have that luxury, facing the World Series-champion New York Yankees today with two members of their starting rotation on the disabled list. So Mlicki, traded to the Tigers in a five-player deal Friday, is scheduled to start today at Tiger Stadium in only his second day with the club.

And he couldn’t be happier.

“Nothing against the Dodgers, but this is a better situation for me,” said Mlicki, contacted in Detroit. “I liked being there, I like all the guys, and it wasn’t like I was unhappy and really wanted to leave or anything. I think they’re definitely going to have a good year, especially with that rotation.

“But I think it would have been hard for me to stay in that type of a role for a whole season, because I had never really done that before. I haven’t pitched a lot so far, and I have to build up my stamina and arm strength. But once I do that, I’ll be fine.”

Mlicki had been working out of the bullpen in long relief, meaning he probably wouldn’t have pitched much for the Dodgers unless they were being routed. Dodger Manager Davey Johnson could not use Mlicki for regular right-handed work because Mlicki has been on a starter’s schedule for most of his four-plus seasons in the majors, and Johnson would have risked injuring Mlicki had he drastically altered his routine.

But Mlicki provided a valuable insurance policy for the talented rotation of Kevin Brown, Chan Ho Park, Ismael Valdes, Carlos Perez and Darren Dreifort. And his presence kept Valdes, Perez and Dreifort on their toes.

Moreover, Johnson and General Manager Kevin Malone acknowledge that Mlicki was the only in-house option to move into the rotation if needed.

“It’s no secret I liked his ability,” Johnson said. “I saw the way he pitched in spring training and the way Dreifort was, and I thought, ‘Why not start this guy and pitch Dreifort every couple of days?’ But that was basically about Dreifort’s health; it was better for him to remain in the starting rotation.

“It’s always a gamble any time you get rid of insurance and you don’t have depth there. But there’s not a lot of history there where you worry about somebody [a member of the rotation] breaking down.”

Mlicki said he was confident Johnson would have given him opportunities while using him correctly, but he still wanted to start.

“I’m looking at this like,” Mlicki said, “like a second chance.”

*

Johnson hopes Antonio Osuna, activated from the disabled list Friday, will eventually become his second right-handed setup man behind Alan Mills, and his third option to close behind Jeff Shaw and Mills.

But Osuna, still recovering from off-season surgery on his pitching elbow, isn’t ready to assume those roles at the moment. For now, Johnson plans to use Osuna in the sixth and seventh innings while he builds arm strength.

“You need more than one guy to set up if you want to try to win the pennant,” Johnson said. “You can have one closer, but you can’t throw the [set-up] guy out there every day. You just can’t do that.”

*

With a day game today, Johnson gave center fielder Devon White and catcher Todd Hundley time off Saturday night. White pinch-hit and hit a key three-run homer Saturday.

That the Dodgers were facing Padre left-hander Sterling Hitchcock factored into Johnson’s decision to sit Hundley. Hundley is more effective batting left-handed.

*

The game between the Dodgers and Colorado Rockies rained out last Sunday at Dodger Stadium has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader July 22. The Dodgers and Rockies are scheduled to play at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

TODAY

DODGERS’ ISMAEL VALDES (1-0, 4.05 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ WOODY WILLIAMS (0-0, 3.46 ERA)

Qualcomm Stadium, 1

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

* Update--Valdes started Tuesday in the 7-6, 16-inning loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks that ended 19 minutes past midnight Wednesday. He struggled during his appearance in the 5-hour 14-minute game, being chased after 5 2/3 innings. Valdes gave up nine hits and four runs, getting a no-decision after earning the victory in his first start against the Diamondbacks on April 7. Valdes is 3-4 with a 3.66 ERA in 15 appearances against the Padres, including 0-1 with a 4.19 ERA in two starts last season. Williams, acquired in an off-season trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, gave up eight hits and four runs in six innings Monday in an 8-5, 11-inning loss to the Colorado Rockies.