White Ready to Do His Part

Center fielder Devon White returned to the starting lineup in Monday’s 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies after sitting out 71 games because of a partially torn left rotator cuff.

The leadoff batter was one for three with two walks and a run, and handled his chances in the field.

White is eager to contribute.

“I missed [almost three months] of the season, so I feel it’s my time now,” said White, injured May 2 diving for a ball in the outfield in the Atlanta Braves’ 5-3 victory at Dodger Stadium.

“I’m healthy and I’m strong. Let’s just hope I can hold up for the rest of the year without going back [on the disabled list].”

Gary Sheffield said White will provide a boost.

“Devo being back helps us, especially with his leadership and knowledge of the game,” the all-star left fielder said. “He understands situational hitting, how you have to play in the outfield and just how to play the game right in a pennant race.

“He just has to stay healthy and hungry at this point because we need him. I’m sure he will.”

The Dodgers feared White might need season-ending surgery, but his shoulder responded well to therapy. The 14-year veteran said he played pain-free during two rehabilitation games at Class-A San Bernardino.

White platooned with Todd Hollandsworth in center and atop the order before going on the disabled list, and team officials said he would not play regularly immediately.

However, Manager Davey Johnson said that’s up to White.

“As long as I’m doing my job,” White said, “I expect to be in there.”

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Mark Grudzielanek is still recovering from a viral infection that sidelined him more than a week earlier this month.

The second baseman is concerned because he continues to lose weight. Grudzielanek has lost 13 pounds, dropping his weight from 194 to 181.

Team medical personnel said it will take Grudzielanek time to regain strength and stamina.

“I haven’t weighed this much since high school,” he said. “The thing is, you can’t [sit out] with what I had and come back at full strength.

“I knew it wasn’t going to happen fast, but I didn’t expect this. Yeah, I’m worried about it.”

Grudzielanek was two for four with two runs against the Rockies. He is batting .299.

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The Dodgers hope catcher Todd Hundley, who has a hairline fracture on his right thumb, will be ready to come off the disabled list within 10 days.

“But that’s not taking anything away from [Chad] Kreuter or [Paul LoDuca],” Johnson said. “Our catchers have done a great job.” . . . F.P. Santangelo, on the disabled lit because of a severely bruised left hand, was hitless in one at-bat with a walk in a rehabilitation game at San Bernardino. . . . As expected, Sheffield’s second suspension appeal hearing will occur in Milwaukee in August.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (10-7, 4.23 ERA) vs. ROCKIES’ MASATO YOSHII (4-11, 5.73 ERA)

Coors Field, 6 PDT

TV--Channel 5. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--Park has given up three earned runs or less in 15 of 21 starts. He pitched six innings Thursday in a 6-3 victory over the Rockies, winning for the first time since June 18. The right-hander is 4-3 with a 6.94 ERA against Colorado. Yoshii took the loss in Thursday’s game. He gave up seven hits and four runs, and is 1-2 with a 4.97 ERA against the Dodgers.