DODGERS REPORT : White Offers a Clarification

Concerned that he has created the wrong perception, center fielder Devon White said Sunday that he loves L.A., enjoys playing for Manager Davey Johnson and hopes to finish his career with the Dodgers.

White moved to clarify his position after making comments Friday that he has been frustrated recently because of lack of playing time and upset because he believes many in the public think he is incapable or unwilling to play regularly at 36. White stressed that he respects Johnson’s decisions, but that he needed to make it known he’s not over the hill.

“Me and Davey don’t have a problem at all,” White said before the Dodgers’ 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. “Davey is a lot like [former Toronto Blue Jay Manager] Cito Gaston; they just want you to come ready to play. Cito and Davey don’t say a lot, but you know that you’re fine with them as long as you do your job. If you can’t play for Davey, I don’t know who you can play for.

“I really wasn’t trying to say anything [negative] about Davey or anybody in the organization, I just want to know where I stand. I want the public to know that Devon White is not a guy who is always [complaining], but the simple fact is I also don’t want the public to perceive me as being broken down. I understand that Davey has to do whatever he feels will help the team, but it matters when people are on the radio saying I can’t play anymore [because he’s not in the lineup]. It bothers me if people think that I don’t want to play. I wouldn’t be human if it didn’t bother me.”

White concedes that he’s not the same player he was as a rookie, but the 13-year veteran believes he still has much to offer.

“I feel that I’m in as good a shape, if not better, than half the guys in the major leagues,” said the seven-time Gold Glove award winner. “I know what I can still go out and do on a consistent basis, so I don’t want people to perceive me as being broken down.

“I played in 147 games last year, and if you look at my career, I’ve always played a lot of games. The one year I didn’t was ’97 [he played in only 74 because of injuries], but that was it.”

Johnson said he and White have had “good” discussions about the situation. Although Johnson said he is pleased with White’s performance, he reiterated he must do what he believes is in the best interest of the team.

“I like Devo as a player, I think he’s a heck of a player,” Johnson said. “But you need to get contributions from everyone to have a winning team.”

Today

DODGERS ISMAEL VALDES

(9-12, 3.27 ERA)

vs.

MARLINS’ BRIAN MEADOWS

(10-14, 5.66 ERA)

Update--Valdes hasn’t had much luck this season. The right-hander is second on the staff with 21 quality starts, but that hasn’t translated to many victories for him or the team. Valdes had another strong seven-inning outing Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium, but the Dodgers still lost, 5-4. Right-hander Eric Gagne is scheduled to make his major league debut Tuesday against the Marlins. Gagne joined the team in Chicago on Saturday, but was not officially added to the active roster. Gagne, 23, went 12-4 with a 2.63 earned-run average for double-A San Antonio.