Perez Doesn’t Share Optimism of Others

The Dodgers remained hopeful Friday that injured left-hander Odalis Perez would return to the rotation soon, but Perez wasn’t as optimistic.

The No. 2 starter said he was still experiencing pain in his sprained right ankle, and would not pitch for at least another 10 days. That was news to Manager Jim Tracy, who said the situation was “still a day-to-day thing” and that there “was not a whole lot else to report” about Perez, scheduled to be re-evaluated after a bullpen session Sunday.

Of course, the schedule might change again if Perez’s ankle doesn’t cooperate.

“If the best thing for the team is to put me on the [disabled list] and bring somebody up, like an infielder or utility player ... [it’s] probably the best thing for the team,” said Perez, whose bullpen workout was pushed back from Thursday to Sunday. “They know I’m not going to be pitching for a while.”

The Dodgers said that hasn’t been determined.

“That’s what he’s saying,” Tracy said. “We’ll see where he’s at between now and Sunday. That’s what I’m saying.”

Perez’s comments seemed to irritate some club officials, who said the four-year veteran hasn’t had enough experience with ankle injuries to determine how long he might be sidelined. Regardless, Perez said he’s concerned.

“I took X-rays and MRIs, and they said there’s no damage in there,” said Perez, 0-1 with a 4.19 earned-run average in three starts. “If there’s no damage in there, why [does it] have to be painful like it is?”

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Batting instructor Jack Clark, seriously injured in a motorcycle accident March 30, has been denied medical clearance to travel with the club.

Clark, who rejoined the team Tuesday, is still recovering from numerous injuries, including six broken ribs and a concussion, suffered in the three-vehicle accident. The lingering effects of the concussion are what concern team physicians, who aren’t sure when they will clear Clark to travel.

“He doesn’t feel all that well, and I don’t want him to travel,” team physician Michael Mellman said of Clark, who underwent another battery of tests Thursday.

Manny Mota will continue to fill in for Clark as the team begins a six-game trip to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Bob Mariano, roving minor league batting instructor, will continue to assist Mota.

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Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., being sued by the Dodgers for $4 million for unreimbursed insurance payments for pitcher Kevin Brown, is expected to respond to the lawsuit by May 13, the lawyer representing the Dodgers said.