Malone Tries to Help Hollandsworth Out

The Dodgers are trying to accommodate reserve outfielder Todd Hollandsworth with a trade, but center fielder Devon White’s shoulder injury has complicated the situation.

General Manager Kevin Malone acknowledged he is trying to move the left-handed batter who has played sparingly this season, and won’t play regularly barring injuries. The Seattle Mariners top the list of teams interested in Hollandsworth, the 1996 National League rookie of the year.

However, White’s situation might force the club to keep Hollandsworth for now. White suffered a jammed left shoulder while diving for a ball Tuesday in the ninth inning of Atlanta’s 5-3 victory.

“It’s a lot worse now than it was [Tuesday] because of the swelling,” White said. “I’ve had pain there before, but not like this. I’m not a doctor, all I can do is go day by day and see what happens, but I know it’s bad now.”

A decision about White might be announced after he undergoes an MRI exam today. With White sidelined, Hollandsworth started and had a big game against the Braves on Wednesday, going three for four with a home run, a stolen base and three runs scored.

“I understand the situation and I appreciate their compassion [to try to accommodate him], but it’s just one of those situations that needs to be worked out,” Hollandsworth said. “I understand there are politics involved, and there are things you can’t control as an individual, but all you have to do is look at the roster. Everyone can see what the situation is.”

The situation is that there isn’t room for Hollandsworth to play every day.

White and Hollandsworth supposedly competed to start during spring training. Club officials were disappointed in White’s performance last season, and they were trying to motivate him.

White played well in the spring and is off to a strong start, reducing Hollandsworth’s role. Before Wednesday, Hollandsworth had only 46 at-bats in the club’s first 26 games.

“The question in spring was, ‘Who’s going to start in center field?’ ” Hollandsworth said. “The bottom line is that Devo has done a great job. He has been great and he’s going to play, that’s just the way it is.”

White is making $4 million this season in the second year of a three-year, $12.4-million deal. He’s owed $5 million next season.

Hollandsworth is making $1.45 million and will be a free agent after the season.

“I understand Holly wants to play every day, and we’re talking to clubs that are interested in left-handed batters,” Malone said. “But we like Holly a lot too, and we’re not going to do anything that hurts the Dodgers.

“If we can find a good fit, for any player, that helps us improve our club, then we’ll consider it. But we’re going to have to wait to see what happens with Devo.”

White was unable to raise his arm above his left shoulder Wednesday. White, who underwent surgery on that shoulder during the off-season, typically doesn’t dive.

Manager Davey Johnson said he believed White did Tuesday because his performance with the Dodgers has been closely scrutinized by fans and the media.

“Yeah, I think he was thinking about that,” he said. “It is not something I would question. I have nothing but pluses on Devo.”

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Reliever Gregg Olson (right forearm strain) threw well in his bullpen session and is expected to begin a rehabilitation assignment Friday at Class-A San Bernardino, Johnson said. If all goes well, Olson might be activated from the disabled list late next week. . . . First baseman Eric Karros returned to the starting lineup after sitting out Tuesday’s game because of stomach problems.