Olson Not Surprised at Being Cut Loose

Pitcher Al Reyes was rousted from his sleep Saturday morning in Las Vegas and told he was a Dodger. Pitcher Gregg Olson awoke a Dodger, then learned he wasn’t.

With those moves, the Dodgers hope to shore up a beleaguered bullpen. Olson, whose pitching has gone from bad to worse, was designated for assignment and Reyes’ contract was purchased from triple-A Las Vegas.

Reyes was 0-1 with a 3.81 earned-run average for Las Vegas. He pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings against Colorado Springs on Friday.

“I was sleeping in [Saturday] and the phone rang,” Reyes said. “I picked it up and said, ‘What do you want?’ ”

Outs.

Olson was 0-1 with an 8.03 ERA in 28 games this season, and had a 30.34 ERA in his last three appearances

“We went as far as we could go with the situation,” Manager Jim Tracy said.

Olson allowed two inherited runners to score, and then gave up two runs, in the ninth inning of a 9-6 loss to the San Diego Padres on Friday.

“This wasn’t a total surprise,” Olson said while packing his bag. “I wish it were. There is nothing wrong mechanically. There are times when things are going your way. This is one of those times they aren’t.”

Olson, who has 217 saves in 13 major league seasons, will be given his release in 10 days, unless the Dodgers can trade him. He is making $1.75 million this season and has a $500,000 buyout for next season.

Reyes, who will be 30 in August, did not give up a run, struck out eight and walked one in six appearances with the Dodgers last September. He had 35 strikeouts and nine walks with Las Vegas this season.

“When they give me the ball, I’m going to go pitch,” Reyes said. “That’s all I want to think about.”

Kevin Brown was pain free, according to Tracy, a day after his third bullpen session. Brown, who is on the 15-day disabled list because of an irritated nerve in his neck, will be activated and start Tuesday against San Francisco. . . . First baseman Eric Karros sat out Saturday’s game and is listed as day-to-day with a stiff back, according to Tracy. . . . Mark Grudzielanek, on the disabled list since June 12 because of a torn ligament outside his left ankle, took batting practice for the first time since the injury. He hopes to return as soon as Wednesday.

TODAY

DODGERS’ DARREN DREIFORT

(4-6, 4.95 ERA)

vs.

PADRES’ ADAM EATON

(7-3, 4.33 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 1

TV--Channel 5.

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

Update--In his last three starts, Dreifort has given up 15 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings. Eaton pitched six shutout innings, giving up three hits, to beat the Dodgers in the 2000 season finale.

Tickets--(323) 224-1448.