Bullpen Move Revives Regalado’s Career

The Dodgers’ closer of the future could be Maximo Regalado.

As a starter, Regalado, 23, went 2-12 with a 5.80 earned-run average for Class-A Vero Beach last season. He has a lifetime record of 12-26 as a starter since the Dodgers signed him in 1994.

But a move to the bullpen may have revived Regalado’s career. This season, he leads the Florida State League with nine saves for Vero Beach. He has a 1.38 ERA in 13 appearances and has struck out 19 in 13 innings.

The opposition is hitting .140 against Regalado, who is from Montecristy in the Dominican Republic.

Outfielder Kevin Gibbs, who has played only 13 games in two seasons because of shoulder injuries, returned to action with triple-A Albuquerque last week. He went 0 for 6, striking out twice in two games, then re-injured his right shoulder while swinging a bat.

Gibbs, who is on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, played 11 games last season before tearing cartilage in his right shoulder. He played two games in 1998 before needing surgery on his left shoulder.

The Dodgers picked up a family member before the season began, signing Pete Paciorek, the son of Tom Paciorek. Tom spent 18 seasons in the major leagues, the first six with the Dodgers.

Pete, 24, is hitting .268 with seven home runs and 29 runs batted in for Class-A San Bernardino. He hit .221 in 83 games last season with Mobile, the San Diego Padres’ double-A affiliate.