Counsell Is Dodgers’ Backup Plan

The Dodgers acquired backup infielder Craig Counsell from the Florida Marlins on Tuesday for a player to be named later, and designated outfielder Brent Cookson for assignment to make room for Counsell on the 25-man roster.

Team officials hope the left-handed Counsell will help provide offensive balance in the right-handed dominated lineup. Counsell, primarily a second baseman during his four-year career with the Marlins and Colorado Rockies, will back up second baseman Eric Young and shortstop Jose Vizcaino. The player the Marlins receive from the Dodgers is expected to be selected from a minor league roster.

The Dodgers put Counsell to work Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Counsell entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the third and replaced Young at second base in the fourth, going one for three.

Counsell, 28, batted .152 with a double and two runs batted in during 37 games with Florida before he was designated for assignment Friday. In his career, Counsell is batting .253 with a .990 fielding percentage. He is making $245,000 this season.

Counsell was the Marlins’ everyday second baseman last season, batting .251 with four home runs and 40 RBIs in 107 games. He was sidelined the final two months of the season after he suffered a fractured jaw when he was hit by a pitch on his face during a game Aug. 3.

He also started down the stretch on the Marlins’ 1997 World Series championship team. Counsell figured he would return to the starting lineup this season, but things didn’t work out that way.

“I’m not surprised I’m not with the Marlins anymore because that kind of ran its course,” Counsell said. “I just felt like I wasn’t getting an opportunity there. It wasn’t a good situation for both of us [him and the Marlins], and it was time for a separation.”

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With the starting pitching a shambles, Johnson moved right-hander Darren Dreifort to the bullpen as expected, replacing him with rookie right-hander Jamie Arnold. Arnold is scheduled to start Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium.

Johnson plans to have Dreifort share the setup work with Alan Mills, saying he will use him exclusively with scores tied and to protect leads.

Johnson said he made the move because Dreifort has labored, throwing too many pitches while struggling with his command. Dreifort is 5-5 with a 6.43 earned-run average in 12 starts, and he has walked 48 (two intentionally) in 67 1/3 innings.

Struggling left-hander Carlos Perez also was a candidate to be bumped from the rotation because he is 2-8 with a 7.18 ERA. But Johnson does not believe Perez, scheduled to start tonight, would work effectively in relief.

Dreifort will, Johnson said.

“I like a guy with that type of makeup,” Johnson said of the hard-throwing Dreifort. “He screams out to me to be a late-inning guy, and I feel this will strengthen my bullpen immensely.

“I know he wants to start, but my job is to do what I think is best for the team. This is what I think we have to do.”

Arnold is 2-1 with a 3.76 ERA. Johnson is simply hoping for the best with Arnold.

“I’m going to do the best I can to help this team no matter what my role is,” Arnold said. “If Davey wants me to start, I’m going to do the best job I can starting. If I go back to the bullpen, then I’ll just go back and keep trying to get the job done.”

Team medical personnel had previously recommended that Dreifort remain on a starter’s structured schedule because his throwing elbow has been reconstructed. Johnson said he plans to be careful with Dreifort.

“I don’t abuse my pitchers,” Johnson said. “The medical staff doesn’t have a problem with it. I just feel it will be easier for Dreifort to work out of the bullpen than start. If it isn’t, I’ll reverse it.”

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Pitching coach Claude Osteen left the team Tuesday to attend his mother’s funeral in Nashville. Jim Benedict, minor league pitching coordinator, filled in for Osteen during Tuesday’s game. The Dodgers said they are not certain when Osteen will rejoin the ballclub.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CARLOS PEREZ (2-8, 7.18 ERA)

vs.

PIRATES’ FRANCISCO CORDOVA (2-2, 4.89 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7:30

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

* Update--Perez gets a reprieve with Darren Dreifort being demoted from the starting rotation to the bullpen. “I don’t see where Perez can do much for me in the pen,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “Carlos has to do it for me as a starter.”