Johnson Has a Choice to Make

With two scheduled days off during the next seven days, a member of the five-man starting rotation is expected to be temporarily bumped from the group.

But who will miss a turn?

Fifth starter Darren Dreifort, scheduled to start today against the Atlanta Braves, is one candidate. In two starts, the right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.25 earned-run average and 12 strikeouts in 12 innings. Despite Dreifort’s strong start, he may be the guy to go for now.

Then again, maybe he won’t be.

“You can look at it a lot of different ways, but it’s always better for everyone to have regular work,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “I’m going to sit down with [pitching coach] Charlie [Hough] and look at it.”

Hough has already been looking at it.

“I’ll put down what I think on paper, and the manager will put down what he thinks on paper,” Hough said. “What he thinks is what we’ll probably do.”

Johnson will probably decide between Dreifort and Carlos Perez, the No. 4 starter.

Perez started Monday night against the Braves and was chased after only 3 2/3 poor innings. Perez (0-3) gave up eight hits--including a home run to Chipper Jones--and six earned runs. That performance made him the top candidate to miss a start.

*

General Manager Kevin Malone acknowledged he was displeased by the antics of the San Diego Padres, who played money-themed songs throughout Friday night’s game in an attempt to irritate pitcher Kevin Brown.

Brown left the Padres in the off-season after leading them to the 1998 National League pennant, becoming the highest-paid player in baseball history by signing a seven-year, $105-million contract with the Dodgers. Malone said he was pleased Padre General Manager Kevin Towers and several players, including the well-respected Tony Gwynn, denounced the immature behavior.

“We all make mistakes and fall short sometimes,” Malone said. “Sometimes things get out of control and you stop it.

“But I think Kevin and the players took the high road, and I appreciate that. Hopefully, everyone can learn from it.”

*

Reserve outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, on the disabled list because of hamstring problems, is scheduled to begin his rehabilitation assignment at class A San Bernardino today.

Hollandsworth is expected to play three games with San Bernardino while being observed by team physical therapist Pat Screnar and head trainer Charlie Strasser. If all goes well, Johnson said Hollandsworth could be activated Friday.

*

Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones left Monday’s game in the sixth inning because of a strained rib cage. . . . The Dodgers have been too dependent on home runs, scoring 33 of their 65 runs on homers. They were hitless in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position Monday and are batting .175 with runners in scoring position this season.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT (2-0, 2.25 ERA)

vs.

BRAVES’ KEVIN MILLWOOD (1-1, 5.68 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7

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

* Update--Dreifort is coming off an impressive outing when the Dodgers needed one, outpitching Randy Johnson in an 8-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks last Thursday at Bank One Ballpark. Millwood won 17 games last season in his first full season in the Braves’ starting rotation.