Lasorda Fine After Hospitalization

Tom Lasorda was upbeat and “ready to get back to work” Thursday after he was hospitalized overnight in Paoli, Pa., because of dizziness.

The Hall of Fame manager became disoriented at a family restaurant Wednesday in Norristown, Pa., and was released Thursday afternoon after undergoing a battery of tests.

In a phone interview, he said physicians diagnosed his problem as an ear infection caused by extensive travel.

“They think flying too much affected my ear, and that was the only problem,” he said. “It was my inner ear that made me dizzy, they checked me out and everything is good.

“I feel fine now. Just great.”

The Dodger senior vice president travels frequently, making motivational speeches and working with minor leaguers.

Lasorda, who turns 74 next month, also has made several visits to Japan this season serving as a player-personnel advisor to the Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League.

“I was over in Japan with [an executive of another club] and his ear was also killing him, so I guess all the flying can get to you,” Lasorda said. “ But I just had an upset stomach and I was a little woozy.”

Lasorda had a heart attack, and underwent angioplasty June 26, 1999, to unclog an artery.

Physicians recommended rest, but Lasorda said he’s too busy.

He was scheduled to speak at youth baseball functions Thursday night in Trenton, N.J., and today in the Pittsburgh area. He plans to return to Los Angeles on Sunday.

“They want me to take some time off, but we’ll just see how it goes,” he said. “I mean, why should you do that?

“It all comes down to loving life and loving what you’re doing. I’ve never worked a day in my life because I love what I’m doing. What could be better?”

Starter Darren Dreifort has restructured his five-year, $55-million contract to help the club address payroll concerns.

He was scheduled to receive $9.4 million in the first year of the deal but agreed to reduce his salary to $7.4 million this season to help offset the salaries of relievers Terry Mulholland and Mike Trombley.

Mulholland and Trombley have salaries of $2.5 million and $2 million this season and are under contract at $3 million and $2 million in 2002.

Dreifort, sidelined indefinitely after undergoing season-ending surgery, will receive an extra $1 million in each of the 2004 and 2005 seasons, increasing his salaries to $12 million and $14 million.

“This was Darren’s idea,” agent Scott Boras said. “Darren had a discussion with [Chairman] Bob [Daly], and this was something he wanted to do to help the club.”

James Baldwin (strained muscle on rib cage) did not experience pain after throwing on a mound Thursday and is scheduled to start Saturday against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium.

“I didn’t care what happened, I wasn’t going to miss another one,” said Baldwin, scratched from Wednesday’s scheduled start because of the injury.

ON DECK

Opponent--New York Mets, three games.

Site--Dodger Stadium.

Tonight--7.

TV--Channel 5 today and Sunday; Fox Sports Net 2 on Saturday.

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

Records--Dodgers 66-55, Mets 55-66.

Record vs. Mets--1-2.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ TERRY ADAMS

(8-5, 4.72 ERA)

vs.

METS’ GLENDON RUSCH

(6-7, 4.48 ERA)

Update--Adams, who had two quality starts on the previous trip, is 1-2 with a 4.67 earned-run average in three starts this month. The struggling Mets have dropped five of six. Opponents are batting .300 against the left-handed Rusch.

Saturday, 7 p.m.--James Baldwin (1-1, 3.27) vs. Bruce Chen (5-6, 4.58).

Sunday, 1 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (11-8, 2.98) vs. Steve Trachsel (6-11, 5.28).