Hollandsworth Struggling in Leadoff Spot

Outfielder Todd Hollandsworth is struggling batting leadoff, which isn’t surprising.

Before this year, Hollandsworth only occasionally batted atop the order in his five Dodger seasons. He is batting .249 with a .306 on-base percentage, subpar statistics for a leadoff batter.

The Dodgers acknowledge Hollandsworth would be more productive in another spot, but he is needed to bat first.

“The situation is what it is,” Hollandsworth said. “This is what the team needs from me with the way we’re set up, and I accept that. It’s not even an option for me to think about anything else, this is what my job has to be. I have to be productive batting leadoff.”

Hollandsworth and Devon White began the season platooning in center field and atop the order. The left-handed batting Hollandsworth has platooned with F.P. Santangelo since White suffered a partially torn left rotator cuff May 5.

The Dodgers thought their offense would change when they traded second baseman Eric Young, a career leadoff batter, and pitcher Ismael Valdes to the Chicago Cubs for reliever Terry Adams and two minor league pitchers in December. But Manager Davey Johnson was willing to sacrifice Young’s speed and solid leadoff on-base percentage because he figured Hollandsworth and White would produce more runs with their power.

It hasn’t worked out that way.

White batted .289 with three home runs and nine runs batted in before his injury, but had only a .322 on-base percentage. Santangelo is batting only .183 with a .312 on-base percentage.

Young? Before Saturday, he was batting .322 with a .389 on-base percentage, ranking sixth among National League leadoff batters. He had 25 stolen bases in 31 attempts.

Although other Dodger leadoff batters have struggled, the focus is on Hollandsworth because he has the most at-bats.

“He’s kind of in a funk in terms of run production,” Johnson said of Hollandsworth. “He’s not swinging the bat well with runners in scoring position. I’ve talked to him about narrowing his strike zone.”

Hollandsworth is trying to be more patient at the plate, but it isn’t easy.

“I wasn’t brought up in the organization as a leadoff batter,” he said. “There are obviously adjustments I have to make. All I can do is just keep going out there and giving everything I have to help this team.”

*

Catcher Todd Hundley will be activated today after completing a rehabilitation assignment at triple-A Albuquerque, Johnson said.

The switch-hitter, batting right-handed, hit a grand slam Sunday for the Dukes. He was four for nine in three games.

Hundley has been on the disabled list since May 31 because of a rib-cage injury. He batted .290 with 13 homers and 33 RBIs before suffering the injury May 30 while running from second base to third in a game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium.

Catcher Paul LoDuca is expected to be optioned to Albuquerque to make room for Hundley on the 25-man roster. LoDuca is batting .346 with two homers and five RBIs in nine games.

*

Johnson spoke with recently demoted closer Jeff Shaw about his situation.

The right-hander has blown seven saves in 19 opportunities and has a 2-4 record and 7.96 earned-run average. The Dodgers might put Shaw on the disabled list to give him time to strengthen his pitching shoulder.

“Right now, I’m a little uncomfortable with him closing, as he is, but the object is to fix it,” Johnson said. “We’re going to see what’s going on with him mentally and physically . . . and develop a plan to bring him back.”

Meanwhile, Adams--who gave up three hits and a run in one inning Saturday--said he has a sore shoulder but it isn’t painful enough to put him on the disabled list.

“It’s not keeping me up at night,” said Adams, 2-3 with a 3.21 ERA and two saves. “It’s just something I have to get loose.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--San Diego Padres, four games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Fox Sports Net 2 today, Wednesday, Thursday; Channel 5 on Tuesday.

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

* Records--Dodgers 38-35, Padres 33-40.

* 1999 record vs. Padres--3-9.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ OREL HERSHISER

(1-4, 10.96 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ BRIAN MEADOWS

(5-5, 5.31 ERA)

* Update--The rotation will be shuffled today because rookie right-hander Eric Gagne is expected to be recalled from triple-A Albuquerque to start Tuesday. Hershiser will pitch today on one day’s rest after starting Saturday’s rain-delayed loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Hershiser worked 1 1/3 innings and threw only 26 pitches because of three delays totaling 4 hours 55 minutes. Carlos Perez, who pitched 4 1/3 strong innings in relief Saturday, has been bumped from the rotation. The left-hander could rejoin the five-man rotation after the commissioner’s office rules this week on the Dodgers’ appeal stemming from disciplinary action ordered after their May 16 altercation with fans at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The club plans to make several roster moves after the situation is resolved, and the rotation could be further affected by baseball’s ruling. Twenty players, coaches and a nonroster bullpen catcher face suspensions and fines totaling 89 games and $77,000.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m.--Eric Gagne (1-4, 4.47) vs. Will Cunnane (1-1, 6.28).

* Wednesday, 7 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (9-4, 4.10) vs. Adam Eaton (1-0, 2.84).

* Thursday, 6 p.m.--Darren Dreifort (4-6, 4.76) vs. Matt Clement (6-7, 5.19).