Herges’ Assignment Is a Setup

Manager Jim Tracy made it official Tuesday, saying right-hander Matt Herges is the setup man.

Herges and 11-year veteran Mike Fetters had shared the job since Terry Adams joined the rotation in June, but Herges has been one of the league’s most dependable short relievers while Fetters has struggled.

The move is significant because the bullpen has been a key to the club’s success under Tracy, and roles are finally defined.

“He’s been very consistent to this point, and he’s a tremendous buffer to get us to [closer] Jeff Shaw,” Tracy said of Herges. “That is a position on a pitching staff that financially, at times, may not seem very gratifying, but it’s a vital element as far as having a successful bullpen is concerned.

“More times than not, if you don’t have that guy, you’re unable to get the ball to the guy who you want to have it in the ninth inning. There are times that the job doesn’t get done prior to being able to get to him, and Herges has been phenomenal. The performance that he’s given us, you can’t ignore that.”

Herges is 8-6 with a 3.49 earned-run average and a save in 45 appearances. He has limited opponents to a .250 batting average.

After a strong season in 2000, Fetters is 2-1 with a 6.28 ERA in 33 appearances. Opponents are batting .277 against him.

“I don’t believe in quitting on players, I’ve shown that already a couple of times this year, and I won’t hesitate to call Mike Fetters’ name,” Tracy said. “He responds to challenges.”

Adams rejected a three-year deal in the off-season that guaranteed him about $9 million, and was awarded a $2.6-million contract in arbitration.

The right-hander hoped he would receive better multiyear offers in free agency after the season, and his gamble has paid off, baseball sources said.

Many teams are expected to pursue the right-hander, who has shown promise in the rotation.

Clubs have requested Adams in trade proposals, which interim General Manager Dave Wallace has rejected.

In 10 starts, Adams is 4-1 with a 4.80 ERA. Overall, Adams is 6-3 with a 4.90 ERA.

“You can’t say enough about the job this man has done for us,” Tracy said. “It’s just another case of someone else on this team making a major contribution to what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Said Adams: “I feel like starting has opened up a lot of doors for me. I felt like I was doing a fine job in the bullpen, but I also felt like I was stuck [in the setup role].

“I feel like this has kind of revived my career. It just makes you feel a little better about yourself.”

Infielder Hiram Bocachica might be activated from the disabled list this weekend, Tracy said. . . . Dan Evans, assistant general manager, is discussing proposals to acquire a pitcher. However, the Dodgers, sources said, are reluctant to add significantly to their industry-high payroll unless they can acquire an impact starter. . . . Marquis Grissom, whose six-game suspension ended Tuesday, flied out in the ninth while pinch-hitting.

TODAY

DODGERS’

LUKE PROKOPEC

(6-5, 4.33 ERA)

vs.

BREWERS’

BEN SHEETS

(10-7, 4.22 ERA)

Miller Park, 11 a.m. PDT

TV--ESPN.

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

Update--Prokopec, winless in his last nine starts, is 0-1 with a 5.30 earned-run average in three outings this month. Sheets, a member of the U.S. gold-medal team at the Sydney Olympics, is having an outstanding rookie season, though he has dropped three in a row. The right-hander was selected the league’s rookie pitcher of the month in June after going 5-0 with a 3.55 ERA.