Perez Tries to Focus on Pitching Woes

Undeterred by legal and professional problems, embattled Dodger pitcher Carlos Perez vowed Tuesday to “show everybody I can help my team.”

The struggling left-hander said he’s determined to rebound on the mound after being arrested Saturday for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The first-degree misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, and Perez’s license will be suspended for six months because he refused a field Breathalyzer test.

Perez reiterated he won’t comment on the alleged incidents while awaiting his day in court, but he’s eager to talk about baseball. Perez will start Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodgertown in what might be his final opportunity to earn a spot in the starting rotation and make the opening-day roster.

“I’ve been working very hard to do my job, to do my job good for the Dodgers,” Perez said. “A lot of things can happen, but you still have to try to do your job. You can’t stop [doing] your job just because [things happen].

“I know I can still pitch good or I wouldn’t be working hard to help my team. I know what I can do.”

He hasn’t done much well to this point in exhibition games.

Perez is 0-1 with a 14.40 earned-run average after his second rough outing Saturday in as many Grapefruit League appearances. He gave up four hits and four runs (three earned) in three innings during a 9-6 loss to the Cardinals, finishing his difficult day in jail after allegedly falling asleep behind the wheel of his BMW at an intersection near Dodgertown.

Dodger officials raved about Perez’s performance in the Dominican Republic winter league, saying he regained his velocity and command after going 2-10 with a 7.43 ERA last season. But he hasn’t impressed in exhibition games, igniting speculation that Perez will start the season at triple-A Albuquerque.

Perez is owed $5 million this season and $7.5 million in 2001, seemingly assuring him a spot on the 25-man roster. But the Dodgers are growing weary of Perez’s antics--especially Chairman Bob Daly.

Manager Davey Johnson will set the starting rotation after Friday, meaning Perez might be the odd man out with another rocky start.

Perez said he will impress Johnson.

“I’m going to show him,” Perez said of Johnson. “I’m going to do my job like my manager wants me to do my job.”

Johnson hopes he does.

“You want to see progress at this time of the year,” Johnson said.

Meanwhile, the assistant state attorney handling Perez’s case said she hasn’t decided whether to file charges. Nicole Menz said she was awaiting Perez’s file from the court clerk before proceeding. Perez is scheduled to be arraigned April 18.

“I’m going to look at the reports, talk to the officers and see how to proceed from there,” said Menz, supervisor of misdemeanor division, Indian River County Court. “The only thing I know right now is what I’ve read in the newspapers.

“We could decide not to file charges, but I’ll have a better idea how to proceed [today] or by the end of the week.”

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Chan Ho Park had his best performance of the spring, giving up one run in five innings in the Montreal Expos’ 5-3 victory during the first night game played at Holman Stadium.

The right-hander struck out five and walked one while throwing 70 pitches in a no-decision.

The Dodgers dropped to 2-12.