It’s Not Rocket Science, but Valdes Is Tough to Figure

Lack of talent is not Ismael Valdes’ biggest problem, it’s lack of heart, the Dodger pitcher’s critics contend.

A day after questioning Valdes’ focus, pitching coach Claude Osteen said the right-hander lacks the mental strength to maximize his ability. Osteen expressed frustration about his inability to communicate with Valdes, who had not told him about recurring back problems that have affected his performance recently.

Add the Valdes-Osteen relationship to the long list of issues the dysfunctional Dodgers must address in an off-season that might not be long enough for General Manager Kevin Malone.

The Dodgers defeated the Rockies, 5-4, on Saturday afternoon before a crowd of 44,945 at Coors Field. Valdes and Osteen provided the latest in many off-the-field distractions this soap-opera season.

“He lets too many things get in there [his mind] that keep him from being as good as he can be,” Osteen said of Valdes. “He can’t worry so much when everything is not so perfect. You have to compete. You have to find a way to make it work.

“You can’t ask the umpires to call the game because Rocket [Valdes’ nickname] doesn’t have his good stuff. It just doesn’t work that way. Sometimes you have to find a way to win ugly when everything isn’t going right.”

Osteen has been upset because Valdes has been abysmal during his last three starts. Valdes (9-14) has given up 24 hits and 20 earned runs in 10 innings during that span.

Valdes was chased after only two innings Friday during an 18-10 series-opening loss to the Rockies. He gave up nine hits--including two home runs--and eight earned runs in the second-shortest outing of his career.

Valdes had a no-decision against Colorado but has losses in three of his last four starts. His earned-run average has increased from 3.27 to 4.01 during this stretch.

All this after Valdes had been the Dodgers’ most consistent starter through the first five months of the season. Moreover, Valdes often displayed mettle on the mound earlier this season.

Osteen had been stewing for weeks while Valdes got pounded from one start to the next. He reached his boiling point Friday because he believes Valdes simply has not been preparing mentally to do his job, though he stressed he has been impressed by Valdes’ work ethic.

Valdes took exception to Osteen’s comments, countering that lower-back pain has caused him to struggle. And while Valdes avoided criticizing Osteen directly Saturday, he didn’t attempt to mend fences either.

“It’s easy to say those things [Osteen’s criticism] when you’re struggling,” he said. “Every time I go out there, I do the best I can.

“I definitely understand what he’s saying because I know I’m not pitching like me now because of my back. But people can think what they want to. I’m comfortable with myself.”

Of course, it might have helped if Valdes informed his pitching coach about his back spasms.

“He hasn’t mentioned anything about his back to me,” Osteen said. “If that’s a problem, it’s between him and our medical staff. I assume everyone is healthy until our medical staff tells me they’re not.”

Dodger Manager Davey Johnson walked the fence on this one.

Johnson said he has been pleased by Valdes’ overall performance. However, he seemed to agree with Osteen’s assessment that Valdes has let down mentally because of the Dodgers’ depressing season.

Part of the problem is that Osteen and Valdes do not know each other well. Osteen was promoted from triple-A Albuquerque on May 26 when Charlie Hough was fired that day, becoming the first in what will be a long list of scapegoats for this troubling season.

Valdes has not been close with a pitching coach since Dave Wallace left the organization at the end of the 1997 season. The coaching staff is expected to undergo change in the off-season, and Osteen might not return.