Perez Will Plead No Contest in DUI

Pitcher Carlos Perez is expected to plead no contest today on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol in Florida.

Perez was arrested March 12 after falling asleep behind the wheel of his car at an intersection near Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla., during spring training. The first-degree misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine, but Perez is expected to receive a lighter sentence as a first-time offender, said Nicole Menz, the assistant state attorney handling the case.

Perez’s attorney, Norman Green, will enter a plea in Indian River County Court. However, the left-hander, scheduled to start Friday against the Florida Marlins, might not be sentenced today.

After more than two months wondering about his legal situation, Perez finally sees a light at the end of the tunnel.

“You just want to know what’s going on,” said Perez, 3-2 with a 5.93 earned-run average. “[His attorney] has been working on it for a long time, and he told me everything is going to be OK now.

“I haven’t been worrying because I know he’s working on it, but you want to know what’s going to happen. We’ve got a court date [today], and I’m just going to be waiting by my [cell] phone.”

A Vero Beach police officer took Perez into custody after observing him sleeping behind the wheel of his BMW at an intersection, according to the police report.

Perez took a roadside physical-performance test but refused to undergo a Breathalyzer test. He spent eight hours in jail and was released on $500 bond.

Menz said Perez probably will be fined $250, have his license suspended one year for refusing the Breathalyzer test, ordered to pay court costs and receive 12 months probation. He is also expected to be ordered to contribute $50 to a DUI television advertising fund, perform 50 hours community service and attend DUI school.

Perez is eager to close the door.

“I just want to pitch good and help my team win games,” he said. “That’s all I want to think about.”

*

The Dodgers plan to activate shortstop Kevin Elster from the disabled list Friday.

General Manager Kevin Malone and Manager Davey Johnson are reluctant to option shortstop Alex Cora to open a roster spot because Cora has played well since being recalled May 5 from triple-A Albuquerque, batting .321. Elster’s groin injury has healed well, and Johnson wants the productive No. 8 batter in the lineup. But he wants Cora on the club too.

“Cora has been playing outstanding,” Johnson said. “He’s playing the way we thought he was capable of all along. He really seems to be enjoying it now, and that makes it tougher on us.”

TODAY

DODGERS’

DARREN

DREIFORT

(3-1, 2.59 ERA)

vs.

CUBS’

SCOTT

DOWNS

(1-1, 6.69 ERA)

Wrigley Field, 11:15 a.m. PDT

TV--Fox Sports Net 2. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--Dreifort is coming off the best outing of his career, a two-hit shutout last Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander struck out six. Dreifort is 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in 11 career appearances against the Cubs.