Perez: ‘I’m Tired of This’

A frustrated Carlos Perez criticized the Dodgers Tuesday, before it was announced that he would be getting another opportunity to revive his career.

The struggling left-hander spoke before Manager Davey Johnson announced that Perez will start Thursday against the Giants, although he acknowledged that likelihood.

“I don’t know what they’re thinking,” Perez said. “No one tells me nothing. I don’t know what to say anymore. I’m just tired of this. All the time, it’s the same [thing].

“They tell me I’m going to the bullpen, then I’m going to minor leagues. They tell me to throw [in the bullpen] and be ready to start.

“I don’t want them to keep messing around with my year like this. I just want them to let me pitch and stop messing around.”

The Dodgers had planned to put Perez in the bullpen. They don’t need a fifth starter until Saturday, and Perez was pounded in his season-opening start by the Montreal Expos.

However, that plan changed because rookie right-hander Matt Herges has been impressive in middle relief. The Dodgers optioned Perez to triple-A Albuquerque Friday, instead of Herges, to put outfielder-infielder Geronimo Berroa on the 25-man roster.

Then Perez got a reprieve when Kevin Brown broke the little finger on his pitching hand Saturday. The Dodgers are expected to send Perez to Albuquerque, and recall rookie right-hander Eric Gagne, after Thursday’s game.

“This is an opportunity for Carlos to step up and maybe turn a corner,” General Manager Kevin Malone said. “Or at least to show signs of turning a corner.”

It has been apparent since Monday that Perez would start the final game of the series against the Giants, but one start doesn’t mean much to Perez.

“I don’t need [one start] to show I can pitch,” he said. “I’m not no rookie. I feel I’m pitching good again. They just need to leave me alone and let me pitch.”

Perez gave up seven hits--two of them three-run homers--and eight runs (five earned) in 4 2/3 innings against the Expos. He went 2-10 with a 7.43 earned-run average last season after signing a three-year, $15.6-million deal, and was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in Vero Beach, Fla., after falling asleep behind the wheel of his car at a stop sign during spring training.

Perez said he’s unhappy.

“It’s not like the last three years,” he said. “Right now, here, everything is different. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.

“Kevin Malone is the reason I’m here, I love this guy, but I’m just tired of dealing with this every day. I just want it to end.”

*

Rookie left-hander Jeff Williams is expected to start Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.

Williams was recalled Tuesday after reliever Gregg Olson was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right forearm.

Johnson wants a lefty to face the Reds, so Williams will move into the bullpen, and Gagne into the rotation, after Saturday.

“I’m just happy to be back,” said Williams, 2-0 with a 4.08 ERA in five September appearances last season. “It’s nice to be back up this quickly because I wasn’t sure how long it was going to take. I’m just going to be ready for anything and see what happens.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

DARREN DREIFORT

(0-1, 4.50 ERA)

vs.

GIANTS’

JOE NATHAN

(0-0, 1.29 ERA)

Pacific Bell Park, 7 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2.

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

* Update--Dreifort walked eight Friday during a 2-1 loss to the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, but gave up only two hits in five innings while working on six days’ rest. The Dodgers believe Dreifort had too much energy because of the extra time off, and that his command will improve with him working on four days’ rest. Nathan had a no decision in his first start against the Florida Marlins. The second-year pitcher gave up three hits and one run in seven innings, and struck out a career-high nine.