Perez Gets Another Chance Today

Left-hander Carlos Perez pitches today against the St. Louis Cardinals in what might be his final chance to earn a spot in the starting rotation.

Perez is 0-1 with a 14.40 earned-run average in two outings. Manager Davey Johnson will set his five-man rotation after today’s game, and Perez will be the odd man out with another shaky performance. Orel Hershiser will move into the rotation if Perez falters again.

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Reliever Alan Mills is aware of speculation he might be traded, so Johnson had some fun at the right-hander’s expense. He summoned Mills, one of his favorite players, into his office early Thursday. A somber Johnson closed the door and told Mills to sit down.

“I said, ‘Millsy, I’ve loved having you on my teams [with the Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles], but I have to tell you this . . . you ain’t going anywhere!’ ” Johnson said. “I told him to get that through his head. I’m not saying forever, but he’s not going anywhere right now.”

Said Mills: “I was tricked once today. Let’s just leave it at that.”

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Reliever Mike Fetters, sidelined since Feb. 29 because of a strained left quadriceps, pitched a scoreless sixth inning in the Dodgers’ 9-3 victory over the New York Mets. Barring injury, the non-roster player will be on the opening-day roster.