Karros Rumors Denied

Catcher Todd Hundley is amused by recent speculation that he’s moving to first base because management plans to trade Eric Karros.

“I was joking with E.K. about that whole thing the other day,” Hundley said Thursday before the Dodgers’ 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. “I told him, ‘Yeah, did you see the big lineup change? I’m going to first and you’re going to catch.’ Pretty crazy, huh?”

Not according to some.

The Dodgers are supposedly considering trading Karros, according to some TV and published reports, and moving Hundley to first. General Manager Kevin Malone said he is not actively pursuing trades.

“I’m not really talking to anyone about anything right now,” Malone said. “I don’t know where this stuff came from.”

Hundley, who had the day off Thursday, has struggled behind the plate while trying to bounce back from reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow in September 1997. He has thrown out only five of 44 runners trying to steal.

Team officials believe rookie catcher Angel Pena has the tools to become an everyday player. But even if Pena is ready to start next season, the Dodgers want the switch-hitting Hundley in the lineup.

“I know the results [throwing runners out] might not look too great,” Hundley said, “but they’re [management] looking for improvement and I’m getting there. It’s a day-by-day thing but I’m feeling fine. That’s the most important thing.”

A TV report Tuesday indicated the Dodgers want to move Karros because he has experienced pain and swelling in his surgically repaired left knee.

The longtime Dodger first baseman, who hit his seventh home run Thursday, said the report is erroneous.

“I haven’t had any ice cubes on my left knee,” Karros said, mocking the TV report. “My knee is absolutely fine. There are no issues at all. None. I haven’t iced it once [recently].”

*

In a major setback to the effort to keep the Dodger spring training site at Vero Beach, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Thursday vetoed a bill that earmarked $7.5 million in state funds for the project.

The funds were supposed to bolster the Indian River County and Vero Beach City plans to purchase Dodgertown from the ballclub and make improvements to the sprawling spring training facility.

The effort is being made in an attempt to persuade the Dodgers to remain in their spring training home of more than 50 years. The Yavapai Tribe in Arizona has pledged to build the team a $50-million spring training complex, though those plans have encountered problems as well.

“We are surprised and extremely disappointed the funding for the bill has been vetoed by Gov. Bush,” Dodger President Bob Graziano said in a statement. “Local officials and the Dodgers have devoted a great deal of time and effort to the Dodgertown negotiations over the past six months, and the loss of these funds will undoubtedly impact how we proceed with our discussions.

“However, we will continue to meet with city and county officials to explore all of the alternatives before we reach any conclusions about the Dodgers’ future in Vero Beach.”

*

Manager Davey Johnson said he moved coach Rick Dempsey to the bullpen to benefit the team--not to punish Dempsey for his performance while coaching at third base.

Johnson said he moved Glenn Hoffman from the bullpen to third because Dempsey, a longtime major league catcher, is needed there to help new pitching coach Claude Osteen with the staff. Johnson says Dempsey will play a vital role in helping the pitchers’ performance improve.

Moreover, Johnson praised Dempsey’s work at third.

“I’ve had a lot of third-base coaches and he’s as good as I’ve had,” Johnson said. “It’s a real tough job because every decision you make is out there for the whole world to see.

“He’s an aggressive coach and that’s the way I want my coaches to be. I’d rather get a guy thrown out at the plate than wonder if he could have [scored]. I’ll take that every time.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--Atlanta Braves, three games.

* Site--Turner Field.

* Tonight--4:30 PDT.

* TV--Channel 5, every game.

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

* Records--Dodgers 24-22, Braves 29-18.

* Record vs. Braves--1-2.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT (5-2, 4.98 ERA)

vs.

BRAVES’ ODALIS PEREZ (2-2, 5.54 ERA)

* Update--The Braves are leading the National League East, but many members of their vaunted starting rotation are struggling. Dreifort gave up five runs in six innings Saturday during a 10-7 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

* Saturday, 4 p.m.--Carlos Perez (1-6, 6.39) vs. Tom Glavine (3-5, 5.54).

* Sunday, 10 a.m.--Kevin Brown (5-3, 2.39) vs. Greg Maddux (4-3, 4.48).