Osuna’s Status Frustrates Johnson

The Dodgers still are trying to determine how to best use injured reliever Antonio Osuna, and frustrated Manager Davey Johnson acknowledges the situation probably won’t be resolved soon.

The right-hander has a bone spur in his throwing elbow, and team physician Frank Jobe has recommended that Osuna undergo surgery. Osuna, who had surgery in September to remove a spur, has declined the procedure, attempting to pitch through the pain.

Johnson can’t use Osuna in the regular bullpen rotation, forcing the Dodgers to carry 12 pitchers on the active roster. Johnson would prefer to include another outfielder among his 25 players because everyday center fielder Devon White has been slowed by tightness in his right hamstring.

Guess why he can’t.

“The reason I need 12 is the Osuna thing,” Johnson said. “Would I like another outfielder? Yes. But that can’t happen until we get this thing figured out, and we’re just not there yet.”

Osuna’s shaky performance Tuesday has further complicated things.

In only one-third of an inning, Osuna gave up three hits and four runs in a 10-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Johnson needs to observe Osuna in action to make decisions, but turning to Osuna in close games could be risky.

“Our bullpen should have a little more shape right now, but the Osuna injury is why the roles are really not solidified yet,” Johnson said. “I’ve got some ideas, but we’re still trying to get it worked out.”

*

With the team off Monday, Johnson tentatively plans to rearrange the five-man starting rotation to enable Kevin Brown, Chan Ho Park and Ismael Valdes--the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 starters--to remain on their regular schedules.

Carlos Perez will start Tuesday on six days’ rest against the Houston Astros in the opener of a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Fifth starter Darren Dreifort will pitch next Saturday on nine days’ rest against the St. Louis Cardinals, keeping Brown, Park and Valdes on four days’ rest.

Johnson said the move will also benefit Dreifort, giving him more time to rest and receive treatment for inflammation around his right shin.

“I don’t like my big three guys to get irregular work,” Johnson said. “This way, we can keep Brownie and the guys on schedule.”

*

White sat out his fifth game in a row Saturday because of his hamstring injury, and Johnson said he won’t play today.

Johnson is encouraged by how White’s hamstring has responded to rehabilitation, but the manager said he won’t push the 13-year veteran.

“He’s getting all kinds of treatment on it, but it’s probably going to be 10 to 12 days,” Johnson said. “We need to get by this. We don’t need to get to a stretch when I need him and he’s gone three or four weeks.”

TODAY

DODGERS’ ISMAEL VALDES (4-1, 3.21 ERA)

vs.

CARDINALS’ JUAN ACEVEDO (2-1, 6.75 ERA)

Busch Stadium, 11 a.m. PDT

TV--Channel 5 Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--Valdes has been everything team officials hoped he would be to this point. The right-hander is coming off a 4-3 victory Monday over the Chicago Cubs. He struggled with his command in that game but battled throughout, giving up nine hits but only one run. Valdes’ recurring blister problems have affected his control more this season than previously in his career. “It just keeps happening,” Valdes said. “I would rather pitch without a blister, but you still have to do your job.” Acevedo is making his first start of the season. He began the season as the Cardinals’ closer, losing the job because of ineffectiveness. St. Louis Manager Tony La Russa plans to limit the right-hander to 50 pitches today.