Cora Gets Time to Sort Out Slump

Manager Jim Tracy gave struggling shortstop Alex Cora time off Wednesday and put Jeff Reboulet in the starting lineup.

Tracy decided Cora needed a break after observing his approach at the plate during an 0-for-18 slump.

Cora’s .176 batting average provided another troubling sign.

“This is nothing more than a day to give Alex a chance to step back and clear his sinuses rather than dig the hole deeper,” Tracy said. “He’ll be right back in there [today].”

The Dodgers did not expect much on offense from Cora, who has a home run and seven runs batted in, but they believe he can do more.

“To me, there are two kinds of slumps offensively,” Tracy said. “One of which you’re having quality at-bats and the ball is just not finding the hole, and then you have a guy who is struggling and searching and not having quality at-bats.

“Alex is searching for answers, and when you see a player doing that, the best answer is to get him away from the action. Let him go down to the cage, let him work on some things, let him think about some things. That’s where Alex is at.”

Cora, who pinch-ran for Dave Hansen in the eighth Wednesday, understood.

“The thing about Trace is he gives you confidence because you know he is going to give you your chances,” said Cora, who batted .238 with four home runs and 32 RBIs last season. “No matter if you’re struggling a lit bit or whatever, you know he’s behind you.”

Tracy reaffirmed that Cora, who has committed a team-high eight errors, is still the everyday shortstop.

“I don’t want Alex Cora to think, No. 1, he’s being quit on, and No. 2, that he has to hit .300 to be a major contributor to this ballclub,” Tracy said. “He’s got to be a very good, solid, steady defensive shortstop--and he has been.”

Right-hander Andy Ashby (right elbow strain) discontinued his throwing program because of pain.

In an attempt to strengthen his elbow, Ashby will continue to lift weights under the supervision of physical therapist Pat Screnar.

There is no timetable for Ashby--in the first year of a three-year, $22.5-million contract--to be activated from the disabled list.

Adrian Beltre was two for two with a home run and walk in a game for triple-A Las Vegas. Beltre is expected to be activated Saturday.

Catcher Paul Lo Duca (strained left oblique muscle) is eligible to come off the disabled list May 14, but “it’s going to take a good week to 10 days before we can even project as far as a rehabilitation situation is concerned,” Tracy said.

Shortstop Tim Bogar (strained left hamstring) ran the bases and will be reevaluated after another workout Friday.

Bogar hopes to begin a rehabilitation assignment this weekend.

The Mets plan to send rookie left-hander Jose Nunez, designated for assignment Tuesday, to Class A if he is offered back to the club, a baseball executive said.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

DARREN DREIFORT

(1-2, 5.25 ERA)

vs.

MARLINS’

MATT CLEMENT

(1-2, 5.89 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7

TV--Fox Family Channel

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

* Update--Dreifort, winless in his last four starts, is 1-3 with a 3.86 earned-run average against the Marlins in his career.

* Tickets--(323) 224-1HIT.