Osuna Goes on Disabled List; Pena and Hubbard Called Up

Making changes because of injuries and ineffectiveness, the Dodgers on Tuesday put reliever Antonio Osuna on the disabled list, optioned backup catcher Paul LoDuca to triple-A Albuquerque and recalled outfielder Trenidad Hubbard and catcher Angel Pena from Albuquerque.

The moves occurred because Osuna has finally agreed to undergo surgery on his throwing elbow, LoDuca has struggled offensively while playing infrequently and the Dodgers lacked depth in the outfield.

Osuna was put on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to Monday) in preparation for the arthroscopic procedure he is scheduled to have Thursday. Hubbard, a valuable reserve last season, and Pena, the organization’s top prospect, were in uniform Tuesday night against the Houston Astros.

Team physicians Frank Jobe and Ralph Gambardella will perform the operation on Osuna at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood. Osuna, who has a 7.71 earned-run average in five appearances, is expected to be sidelined eight to 10 weeks while undergoing rehabilitation.

Osuna, making $1 million this season, does not have a guaranteed contract for next season. The club holds options for $1.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, in 2000 and 2001.

Osuna was initially scheduled to have surgery April 21 on Jobe’s recommendation, but the right-hander unexpectedly declined in an attempt to work through the pain. Osuna underwent surgery in September to remove a bone spur in the same elbow, and he did not want to go through the process again after beginning the season on the disabled list.

Team officials cooperated with Osuna, hoping for the best because others have pitched effectively with bone spurs.

Manager Davey Johnson handled Osuna carefully while acknowledging the situation was creating problems for the bullpen. Johnson’s patience finally ran out because the velocity on Osuna’s pitches has been dropping, and Osuna admitted he experienced pain Sunday after throwing two-thirds of an inning against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“To me, that was it,” Johnson said. “He came in that game the other day and his first pitch in the jam was 88 [mph], and his next was 88. Then he let it go a little bit and hit 90.

“He said he felt it [pain in his elbow] on the fastball, and that was it for me. If he couldn’t do it free and easy, it didn’t make sense [to keep trying]. I’ve been trying to baby him, and it really didn’t help.”

Osuna said he wouldn’t change anything.

“I don’t have any regrets,” Osuna said through an interpreter. “I thought I could pitch without the operation. I thought I could still help.

“Now, it’s different. I don’t have any confidence in my fastball right now. The last few outings, I haven’t felt good at all. I think this is best, for both the team and myself, to get it done now, but I feel really bad because I wanted to help the team and that didn’t happen.”

*

LoDuca earned the backup catching job over Pena in spring training because of his steady performance behind the plate and his impressive work ethic.

Johnson and General Manager Kevin Malone also wanted Pena to play regularly, which won’t happen with the Dodgers unless Todd Hundley suffers an injury. But LoDuca, 27, batted only .056 (two for 36) without a home run or run batted in.

Pena, 24, batted .284 with 17 RBIs in 29 games with the Dukes.

Hubbard, the fifth outfielder last season, was optioned to Albuquerque on the final day of the exhibition season.

Johnson now believes he needs Hubbard on the 25-man roster because starting center fielder Devon White (tightness in his right hamstring) has sat out the last seven games.

Hubbard, 33, batted .322 with five homers and 24 RBIs in 31 games at triple A. He also led the Dukes with 14 stolen bases.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ KEVIN BROWN (4-2, 2.75 ERA)

vs.

ASTROS’ SHANE REYNOLDS (6-2, 3.91 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7:30

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

* Update--The Dodgers turn to their ace after losing three in a row. Brown has had six quality starts in eight outings this season. Reynolds ranks among the National League leaders in several categories. Adrian Beltre batted leadoff for the Dodgers Tuesday night because Eric Young has a sprained ankle.