Lo Duca May Be a Designated 1B

Manager Jim Tracy said Wednesday he might bench Eric Karros and put Paul Lo Duca at first base when Chan Ho Park pitches.

“I talked to E.K. about it [Tuesday] in my office,” Tracy said. “He understands, totally, if he’s going to be in there all the time, then offensive production is absolutely a priority.”

Chad Kreuter usually starts when Park does, putting Lo Duca, batting .328 beginning play Wednesday, on the bench.

The situation is a hot-button issue on sports-talk radio because Karros, experiencing back problems, is having the worst season of his career.

Tracy is supportive of Karros, saying the Dodgers need the nine-year veteran in the lineup to achieve their goals.

However, Tracy said he might have to make a move unless Karros, batting .238, provides more production soon.

“I can’t really quantify it,” Tracy said. “But I am to the point where I think it’s good, and it’s a very relaxing feeling, for the guys on this club to walk in and know this is who we have to go with, and see where it takes us.”

Karros said he’s comfortable with whatever Tracy decides because the first-year manager does what’s best for the team.

Lo Duca is uncomfortable being in the middle of the controversy.

“I know I’m having a good year, but my credentials don’t stack up near E.K.’s,” Lo Duca said. “He hasn’t been healthy all year, and people are bagging on him because he hasn’t had a good year.

“Obviously, he’s compensating for his back a little bit. A lot of people are starting to say stuff about his career [being over], and it’s not that way at all. He’ll be fine once he gets healthy.”

But how long can the Dodgers wait?

“It’s a very uncomfortable situation for everybody, and I’m sure it will get addressed,” said left fielder Gary Sheffield, commenting only on Lo Duca not starting when Park does.

“We get in the playoffs, we’re going to sit one of our best hitters on the bench? That’s going to be kind of tough.”

Sheffield said egos have to be put aside at this time of the season.

“From a manager’s standpoint, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” said Sheffield, a member of the Florida Marlins’ 1997 World Series title team.

“If we as players want to win, we have to look at why tough decisions are made. We’ve got to look at ourselves in the mirror. If we were out there doing our jobs, we would never get benched. Bottom line.”

Kevin Brown might start Sept. 1 against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium, pitching coach Jim Colborn said.

“I’d say it would be realistic,” Colborn said after monitoring the right-hander’s second pain-free session in his throwing program. “Let’s put it this way, barring setbacks.”

Brown, recovering from a torn muscle on his pitching elbow, is scheduled to rest today and resume throwing on a flat surface Friday.

James Baldwin (strained muscle on rib cage) did not experience pain after throwing on a flat surface, and will start Saturday against the New York Mets if he fares well on a mound today, Tracy said.

TODAY

DODGERS’

ERIC GAGNE

(4-5, 3.92 ERA)

vs.

EXPOS’

TOMO OHKA

(0-2, 8.18 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 1 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

Update--Gagne is 3-1 with a 3.92 earned-run average in six starts since the all-star break. The French-Canadian right-hander, who grew up in a suburb of Montreal, pitched six strong innings May 17 in a 3-1 loss to the Expos at Olympic Stadium. The Expos acquired Ohka in a three-player trade that sent closer Ugueth Urbina to the Boston Red Sox. The right-hander has dropped his last seven decisions.