Johnson Won’t Waste Health, Time Worrying About His Job Status

Three days after checking out of the hospital, Dodger Manager Davey Johnson says he’s not paying attention to reports that his job may be on the line.

“I try not to worry about that stuff that distracts from what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Johnson, who spent three days in the Tommy Lasorda Heart Institute at Centinela Medical Center because of an irregular heart rhythm. “I’ve got three world championship rings and I want another one. But I don’t want to spend any time talking about conjecture or speculation. It’s just wasted energy.”

Johnson, who won two World Series titles as a player with the Baltimore Orioles [1966 and 1970] and managed the New York Mets to the 1986 championship, said he realized the job of running a $90-million club would be pressure-packed.

“The reality is if you have a high payroll, you best win. You best win,” Johnson said. “And it’s [the pressure] on me. That’s just part of it.”

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Right-handed reliever Gregg Olson, who was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on May 19 with a strain in his right forearm, said he’s ready to return to the active roster, though Johnson and General Manager Kevin Malone aren’t so quick to welcome him back.

“Everything is good, and it’s starting to feel normal,” said Olson, who last appeared in a game April 8 and has two appearances this season. “I think I’m ready physically, but I don’t know where they’re [management] at. I just have to wait and we’ll have a little talk to see where we go from here.

“This is the best I’ve felt since the middle of spring.”

Johnson said Olson may be caught in a numbers game.

“Our roster is out of balance so we can’t be adding a pitcher at this point,” he said. “Like I told [Olson], I’m not going to bump somebody who’s been doing an adequate job based on his potential.”

Malone said the best way to gauge if Olson is truly ready is to let him pitch against major league hitters, rather than at Class-A San Bernardino on one of his numerous rehabilitation stints.

“But who in our bullpen [has pitched poorly] . . . and should be bumped? It’s a tough situation,” Malone said. “I know he’s frustrated, but so are we. He’s only pitched [two innings] since April.”

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When Devon White returns to the Dodger active roster is basically White’s call, according to Malone.

White, who went on the disabled list May 5 after partially tearing his left rotator cuff diving for a ball, is on a rehab stint at San Bernardino and is expected to rejoin the Dodgers today, though that could be pushed back to Monday in Colorado.

“We have to wait and see how he feels,” Malone said. “We want him to be over his soreness [of playing again]. It’s on his timetable. He knows how his body feels.”

TODAY

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT (5-7, 5.06 ERA) vs. GIANTS’ RUSS ORTIZ (5-8, 6.29 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 5 p.m.

TV--ESPN2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--Dreifort, fresh from ending his four-game losing streak Monday by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates, is 1-3 with two saves and a 4.36 earned-run average in 12 career appearances against the Giants. He did not have a decision the last time he faced San Francisco, a 6-5 Dodger win at Pacific Bell Park on April 12. Ortiz, who was 18-9 in 1999, has struggled this season and was removed from the rotation to start the second half before rejoining it because of an injury to starter Joe Nathan. Ortiz is 1-1 with an 8.81 ERA in four career outings against the Dodgers and took the loss in the Dodgers’ 9-2 win at Pac Bell on June 30.