Carrara Replaces Hard-Hit Rookie

The Dodgers designated rookie left-hander Jose Nunez for assignment Tuesday and purchased the contract of right-hander Giovanni Carrara from triple-A Las Vegas to fill the roster opening.

A club that claims Nunez, a Rule 5 draft selection from the New York Mets, off waivers must keep him on the 25-man roster the entire season or offer him back to the Mets for $25,000.

If Nunez is not claimed in the 48-hour waiver window, the Dodgers said they hope to complete a deal with the Mets that would enable them to keep the struggling reliever--in low Class A last season--and option him to the minor leagues.

If an arrangement could not be reached, Nunez would have to be offered back to the Mets. The process must be completed in 10 days.

Carrara, 33, was 1-2 with a 3.10 earned-run average in six starts for the 51s.

The minor league journeyman has played briefly in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies. He is expected to be used in long relief.

Carrara worked three scoreless innings in the Dodgers’ 7-6 loss to the Florida Marlins Tuesday.

“Situations come up where you bring the young man in and you’re concerned if he’s able to get you through the inning,” Dodger Manager Jim Tracy said of Nunez, 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA.

“But one thing I want to make very clear is how highly thought of he is in our organization. He’s not only going to pitch in the big leagues, he’s going to pitch here for a long time.”

Through an interpreter, the native of the Dominican Republic thanked the Dodgers for his opportunity.

“It was a difficult transition, but I went out there and tried my hardest,” said Nunez, who gave up six hits and nine runs (five earned) in 1 2/3 innings May 5 during the Chicago Cubs’ 20-1 victory at Wrigley Field.

“You never know, I could be back here. But I have to continue to move forward.”

Completing a deal with the Mets has proved difficult because they would prefer to reacquire Nunez, said baseball executives familiar with the clubs’ discussions.

“It’s obvious what we think of the young man, but we just came to a point where we had to make a decision,” interim General Manager Dave Wallace said. “We’ll see what happens.”

Third baseman Adrian Beltre was hitless in two at-bats for Class-A Vero Beach. He was hit by a pitch and walked.

Beltre is expected to complete his rehabilitation assignment at Las Vegas and be activated this weekend.

Andy Ashby (right elbow strain) scaled back his throwing program because of increased work with weights, Tracy said.

Physical therapist Pat Screnar does not want Ashby lifting and throwing because of the strain on his elbow.

Shortstop Tim Bogar (strained left hamstring) is scheduled to be reevaluated today after running the bases.

Bogar hopes to begin a rehabilitation assignment next week.

TONIGHT

MARLINS’

RYAN DEMPSTER

(3-3, 4.67 ERA)

vs.

DODGERS’

CHAN HO PARK

(3-3, 3.55 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net 2.

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

Update--Park left his last start May 4 because of back spasms. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 4.50 ERA against the Marlins in his career.