Perez May Get Reprieve, Dreifort Probably Won’t

One more shot, Carlos Perez?

That’s apparently what Dodger Manager Davey Johnson is giving the struggling left-hander, saying Monday he’s leaning toward keeping Perez in the starting rotation and moving struggling right-hander Darren Dreifort to the bullpen today.

Johnson had considered bumping Perez from the rotation indefinitely because he is 2-8 with a 7.18 earned-run average. Instead, it now appears Johnson will at least temporarily move rookie right-hander Jamie Arnold into the fifth-starter’s spot in place of Dreifort, who is 5-5 with a 6.42 ERA.

Johnson will announce his plans today, but Perez seems to be secure for at least another start. Unless Johnson changes his mind, Perez will be scheduled to start against Pittsburgh on Wednesday in the second game of the three-game series beginning tonight at Dodger Stadium.

“I’m not going to announce anything until [today], but I think it’s going that way,” Johnson said of the probable Dreifort-Arnold move. “I talked to Dreifort a little bit [Monday], and I’m going to talk to him again [today]. I think this is something that can help both areas [the rotation and bullpen], but I’m not announcing anything until [today].”

In his most recent start Friday, Perez was pounded for a season-high eight runs in 2 1/3 innings during a 12-6 interleague loss at Oakland. Dreifort wasn’t much better Sunday. He gave up a season-high seven runs in 4 1/3 innings in a 9-3 loss.

Scouts said Dreifort’s fastball was clocked at 95 mph Sunday. But Dreifort’s poor command again was his undoing.

He threw only 46 strikes in 92 pitches--too many pitches for such a short outing. Dreifort, who walked six, leads the staff with 48 walks (including two intentional) in 67 1/3 innings.

Officials in the ousted regime once viewed Dreifort as a potential closer because of his talent and heart.

But their thinking changed because the former No. 1 draft pick had surgery on his right elbow in 1995, stirring concern that Dreifort could not endure frequent relief work.

In spring training, team medical personnel also recommended to Johnson that it would be best for Dreifort to start. Moreover, Dreifort, making $1.9 million this season, has said he wants to remain in the rotation.

Arnold is 2-1 with a 3.76 ERA in 16 games. If he joins the rotation as expected, Arnold, who is making the major-league minimum $200,000, would probably start Saturday against Philadelphia.

He pitched well in winning in his first major league start May 5 at Montreal, 8-2. Arnold gave up only one hit and no runs in 6 2/3 innings as a last-minute replacement for Perez, who was scratched because he suffered a mysterious thigh injury the night before.

The Dodgers have done everything they can think of to help Perez, who has lost velocity on his fastball and has struggled with his command. They have tinkered with his delivery and encouraged him to change his pitching philosophy, yet nothing has worked.

However, Perez is the only left-hander in the rotation. He is in the first year of a three-year, $15.6-million contract, in part explaining the Dodgers’ reluctance to banish him to the bullpen.

Of course, Perez will be on a short leash. Johnson has had several conversations with Perez in the last few days, strongly encouraging Perez to challenge batters and work more efficiently.

For his part, Perez acknowledges he has been given many opportunities. He hopes he doesn’t waste what could be his final one for a while.

“It’s hard when you go through something like this,” Perez said. “Like I [said previously], this is the first time this ever happened to me.

“Nothing is working like I want [it to work]. I still feel I can make my pitches and help the team because we have a lot of games left. Yeah, [it’s hard], but I have to keep my confidence to do my job.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Pittsburgh Pirates, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports West 2, all games.

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

* Records--Dodgers 29-32, Pirates 32-29.

* Record vs. Pirates--0-3.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ KEVIN BROWN (7-3, 2.69 ERA)

vs.

PIRATES’ TODD RITCHIE (5-4, 4.42 ERA)

* Update--The Dodgers turn to Brown to rescue them again. Oakland swept the disappointing ballclub in a three-game interleague series over the weekend, and the Dodgers now trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by seven games in the National League West. Brown has been a superb stopper, ending three-game losing streaks with victories in his last two starts. Brown has pitched at least eight innings in six of his 13 starts and he is among the major league leaders in most categories. The right-hander’s typically outstanding performance has enabled the Dodgers to hover around .500.

* Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.--Carlos Perez (2-8, 7.18) vs. Francisco Cordova (2-2, 4.89).

* Thursday, 7 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (4-3, 4.84) vs. Kris Benson (4-5, 4.84).