Borbon Ready to Contribute

Pitcher Pedro Borbon believes the hard times are behind him.

The left-handed reliever is determined to make the Dodgers’ opening-day roster after enduring “the most exhausting two years” of his life rehabilitating from reconstructive elbow surgery, and he seems to be off to a good start.

Borbon threw batting practice for about eight minutes here Thursday, working without pain. It was a small step, but one in the right direction for Borbon and the Dodgers.

“I feel great, like I’m 100%,” said Borbon, whose father, also Pedro, pitched for four major league teams from 1969-80. “I threw like I did in winter ball in the Dominican [Republic], and I haven’t had any swelling or pain.

“I’m back to normal now. I just have to get back into shape and just focus on pitching again. I feel more relaxed now after everything I’ve been through. I’m optimistic.”

On Aug. 22, 1996, Borbon, then with the Atlanta Braves, tore a ligament in his pitching elbow. Borbon, now 31, was enjoying a career year, having gone 3-0 with a 2.75 earned-run average in 43 appearances. Left-handed batters hit only .154 against him.

Borbon sat out the 1997 season and he pitched in the Braves’ minor league system last season. The Dodgers signed him to a one-year, $375,000 free-agent contract in January.

Borbon, Greg Cadaret and Chris Haney, a fellow nonroster pitcher, are the veteran left-handers competing for roles in the bullpen. Team officials hope at least two will pitch well enough to make the cut.

“I was injured at the peak of my career, when I think I was one of the most important members of the Braves’ bullpen,” said Borbon, whose fastball has recently been clocked between 89-92 mph. “I think I’m a better pitcher now because of this.”

*

Dodger Manager Davey Johnson briefly managed Borbon’s father during the 1995 strike.

Pedro, then 48, was trying to make a comeback with Cincinnati as a replacement player. He pitched so poorly that he jokingly told Johnson, “I’m like a horse, you have to shoot me.”

Johnson’s reply? “We wouldn’t waste the bullets.”

*

Closer Jeff Shaw remains with his wife, Julie, at their home in Ohio, awaiting the birth of their third child.

“I thought it was going to be last Saturday,” Shaw said. “Julie was having contractions three minutes apart from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., and then they stopped. I was like, arrrgh.”

Shaw is throwing off the mound and running.