Lo Duca’s Return Goes Well

Catcher Paul Lo Duca was activated from the disabled list Monday and started in the Dodgers’ 6-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Lo Duca was one for three with a run-scoring single. He threw out one of two baserunners and was called for catcher’s interference in the eighth, which contributed to the Rockies’ final run.

To make room for Lo Duca on the 25-man roster, the Dodgers put infielder Chris Donnels on the disabled list, retroactive to May 19, because of a right lumbar strain.

“I feel great,” said Lo Duca, who completed a rehabilitation assignment at triple-A Las Vegas. “I played those three days in Vegas and I didn’t feel any pain.

“I’m just happy to be back around the guys and get ready to go. Hopefully, I won’t lose a step from when I got hurt.”

Hamstring and oblique muscle injuries sidelined Lo Duca for 31 of the club’s first 44 games, opening a hole in the batting order.

Lo Duca was batting .368 with two home runs and eight runs batted in when he went on the disabled list. Catchers Chad Kreuter and Angel Pena have combined for four RBIs, none since May 1.

“It’s good to have him back,” first baseman Eric Karros said. “He was really on a roll before he got hurt. Hopefully he can come back and continue to contribute like he was earlier in the year.”

The club’s recent production problems have stirred trade speculation, but Manager Jim Tracy and interim General Manager Dave Wallace are not rushing to make moves.

The Dodgers finally fielded their projected opening-day lineup in their 45th game, so Tracy and Wallace need time to evaluate the group.

Lo Duca, who might bat atop the order occasionally to help jump-start the offense, hopes he can improve the Dodgers’ situation.

“Wherever [Tracy] wants to play me I’m fine,” he said. “If he wants to put me in the first or second hole, I don’t really care. The lineup he has today is probably the one he was thinking about in February. He finally gets to put it up with me and [third baseman Adrian Beltre] healthy.

“Hopefully we can click and go from there. I really don’t think we need a trade. We’ll be just fine. It’s just a matter of us putting it together and everyone getting healthy.”

Outfielder Todd Hollandsworth has found success with the Rockies after several disappointing seasons with the Dodgers.

Hollandsworth, on the disabled list because of a deep bruise on his right shin, is batting .368 with 15 doubles, six homers and 19 RBIs.

“He came to work every day,” Tracy said of the 1996 National League rookie of the year. “No one ever, in any way, shape or form, could question Todd Hollandsworth’s work ethic. That’s for sure. You marvel at it.”

Andy Ashby (right elbow strain) rejoined the club and played catch at 70 feet for 10 minutes.

The right-hander, who had hoped to throw on a mound today, is scheduled to throw again on a flat surface in the bullpen.

Ashby will be reevaluated after throwing but is expected to rest Wednesday.

“We’ll see how he does [today],” Tracy said. “We’ll just go from there.”

Shortstop Tim Bogar (strained left hamstring) resumed his rehabilitation program at Las Vegas.

Bogar, who suffered a setback recently, was hitless in two at-bats for the 51s.

“There was obviously a little bit of the tear of the scar tissue,” Tracy said. “He’s feeling better, he’s been running the last couple of days, but they’re going to limit the amount of activity [he has in games].”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

ERIC GAGNE

(1-3, 4.56 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’

DENNY NEAGLE

(4-1, 4.12 ERA)

Coors Field, 6 PDT

TV--Fox Sports Net 2

Radio--KXTA (1150),

KWKW (1330)

Update--Gagne is coming off a strong six-inning start May 17 in the Montreal Expos’ 3-1 victory at Olympic Stadium. The French-Canadian right-hander, an Expo fan while growing up in Montreal, gave up four hits, two runs and struck out seven without a walk. Gagne is 1-0 with a 6.97 ERA in two career appearances against the Rockies. Neagle signed a five-year, $51.5-million contract with the Rockies in the off-season. The left-hander is 8-5 with a 2.49 ERA in his career against the Dodgers.

*

Dodgers 2001

Season Almanac

Through Monday

Dodger record:

overall 24-21

in home games 16-7

in road games 8-14

vs. NL East 10-6

vs. NL Central 5-5

vs. NL West 9-10

vs. left-handed starter 5-5

vs. right-handed starter 19-16

on grass 23-19