DODGERS REPORT : Beauty of Renovation Will Be in the Eye of Beholder

As part of the previously announced renovation of Dodger Stadium, a new dugout-seating section will bring fans about 25 feet closer to the action next season, eliminating quite a bit of foul territory behind home plate.

“For hitters, it’s fine,” said Dodger Manager Davey Johnson. “Pitchers might not like it so much.”

And the manager?

“I wish they’d move the dugout closer so the umpire can hear me yelling at him,” Johnson said, laughing. “I need to have a designated yeller to yell at the . . . I can’t get [the umpire]. My voice won’t carry.

“Either that or get a [megaphone]. . . . “

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Infielder Tripp Cromer, who was reinstated from the disabled list on the first day that rosters could be expanded, was nine for 18 with a home run and 18 runs batted in during a four-game rehabilitation assignment at Class-A San Bernardino that ended Tuesday, when he went three for six with two doubles and three RBIs. Cromer, who sat out 54 games because of an irregular heartbeat, was the only player added to the roster. He did not play Wednesday.

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As a former member of the Montreal Expos, Dodger shortstop Mark Grudzielanek is used to playing out the string in a losing season.

“The pressure’s off and you’ve just got to get yourself mentally prepared even though you’re not really playing for anything,” he said. “And I think we’re doing that now. The pressure’s off. We’re disappointed with how we’ve played this year--it’s been disturbing--but we need to keep playing hard and working toward something positive for next year.”