Las Vegas Ups the Ante for Move

Las Vegas officials plan to offer the Dodgers a $5-million bonus to persuade them to move to a proposed multiteam spring training facility, baseball sources said Wednesday.

The balloon payment is a key component in Las Vegas’ attempt to lure the Dodgers from Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla. The Dodgers have trained there since 1948 and Florida officials are fighting to retain the club.

Under a proposal team executives are considering, the Dodgers would receive the bonus to become the centerpiece of a six-team complex in Henderson, Nev. The payment would be contingent on the Dodgers signing a multiyear agreement.

“At this point, Las Vegas hasn’t offered a final plan,” said Derrick Hall, Dodger senior vice president. “We couldn’t even begin to discuss particular financial aspects of a deal at this time.”

However, sources said Las Vegas officials have informed the Dodgers about the main points of their proposal, including the payment.

Sam Fernandez, Dodger team counsel, will have Vero Beach’s final proposal this week. Fernandez will meet with Las Vegas officials next week and the Dodgers plan to announce their decision before the month ends.

The Dodgers would be joined in Las Vegas by the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays. However, only the Dodgers would receive a bonus because of their situation in Florida.

Indian River County and Vero Beach city officials have assembled an impressive financial package to purchase Dodgertown from the team. They plan to make improvements to the sprawling baseball and conference facility and lease it to the Dodgers.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush recently signed a bill that allocated $7.5 million to help the effort, pushing the total commitment to more than $20 million.

The Dodgers expect to receive $5 million to $10 million for Dodgertown. Las Vegas officials, trying to top Florida’s best offer, have told the Dodgers to expect a lump sum from them matching what Florida officials offer for Dodgertown.

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The Dodgers plan to recall pitcher Orel Hershiser from Class-A San Bernardino on Friday.

Hershiser pitched 7 2/3 innings Monday for the Stampede and appears to have regained his command after weeks of inactivity. Manager Davey Johnson is eager to have the 17-year veteran back in the rotation, and Carlos Perez, who had squeezed Hershiser out of the rotation, might now be the odd man out.

“I don’t know how he feels, but any time you throw [99] pitches, that’s probably your last tuneup before you start,” Johnson said of Hershiser. “With the number of pitches he threw, he’s ready for me.”

The club’s 25-day window to send Perez to the minor leagues is closing. If the left-hander struggles Friday against the Oakland Athletics, the Dodgers might use Perez’s 25-man roster spot to activate Hershiser.

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As expected, left-hander Trever Miller cleared waivers and was outrighted to triple-A Albuquerque. Miller, claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies, had a 23.14 earned-run average in two appearances for the Dodgers.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Houston Astros, one game.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--6.

* TV--Fox Sports Net.

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

* Records--Dodgers 31-25, Astros 21-37.

* Record vs. Astros--3-2.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

CHAN HO PARK

(6-4, 4.50 ERA)

vs.

ASTROS’

CHRIS HOLT

(3-6, 4.97 ERA)

* Update--The Dodgers and Astros play tonight because their April 17 game at Dodger Stadium was rained out. Park has won his previous two starts. The right-hander is 1-2 with a 4.89 ERA in 10 games against Houston.

* Tickets--(323) 224-1448.