Johnson Is Eager for Shaw to Arrive

The Dodgers would prefer to have closer Jeff Shaw here at Dodgertown but they understand his situation.

Shaw remains with his wife, Julie, in Washington Court House, Ohio, awaiting the birth of their third child. Pitchers, catchers and players rehabilitating from injuries were to have reported Feb. 18, but Shaw got permission to arrive after the baby’s birth.

But how much longer can the Dodgers wait?

“He’s still got time, but I would say he needs to get here at the end of this week,” said Manager Davey Johnson, whose team begins Grapefruit League play Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“He has missed a lot [of work on fundamentals], but he pretty much knows how to cover first base by now.”

The Dodgers aren’t worried about Shaw’s absence because of his professionalism. He is throwing and working out daily.

Still, pitching coach Charlie Hough is eager for his closer to arrive.

“I would certainly rather have him here, working out,” Hough said. “But it doesn’t do him or us any good if he’s less than 100% because his mind isn’t totally here.”

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Former major league catcher Rick Wilkins was among the participants here at a free-agent tryout camp.

The Dodgers are considering signing Wilkins, who played for the Mets and Mariners last season, because of their seemingly tenuous catching situation. Todd Hundley, a two-time all-star, is expected to be the everyday catcher, but he’s coming off reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow.

The leading candidates for the backup job are rookies Paul LoDuca and Angel Pena. Journeyman Tim Laker, a nonroster player, is the only other catcher in camp with major league experience.

In 24 games with the Mets and Mariners, Wilkins, 32, batted .179 with one home run and five runs batted in. Wilkins established career highs with the Chicago Cubs in 1993, playing in 136 games and batting .303 with 30 homers and 73 RBIs.

“The fact that he hit 30 bombs once, and if he’s still interested in playing, you’ve got to at least take a look at him,” General Manager Kevin Malone said.

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Three veterans were debating the terms of a friendly wager they made last season when infielder Pete Rose Jr., a nonroster player, interjected, “You guys better be careful--you can get in trouble for that betting stuff.”

The other players roared.