Prokopec Is a Dodger Again

The Dodgers agreed to terms Monday on a two-year minor league contract with right-hander Luke Prokopec, the Australian pitcher traded from Los Angeles to Toronto for reliever Paul Quantrill and shortstop Cesar Izturis last winter.

Prokopec went 2-9 with a 6.78 earned-run average for the Blue Jays before suffering a shoulder injury that required major surgery on Sept. 14. The Blue Jays tried to send Prokopec outright to triple A, but he declined the assignment and became a free agent.

Prokopec, 24, pitched for the Dodgers in 2000 and 2001, going 9-8 with a 4.63 ERA in 34 games. He spent six years in the Dodger farm system, compiling a 30-21 record with a 3.59 ERA. Prokopec is not expected to resume throwing until July or August, but he will spend next season rehabilitating with the Dodgers in hopes of pitching in 2004.

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The Dodgers have hired Rene Francisco as international scouting director and Al LaMacchia as a major league scout, and promoted scout Mark Weidemaier to special assistant to the general manager.

Francisco joins the Dodgers after 10 years with the Atlanta Braves, most recently as Latin America coordinator. LaMacchia was most recently with Tampa Bay.