Beltre Is on Radar of Some NL Clubs

Many clubs are monitoring the Dodgers’ deteriorating relationship with Adrian Beltre, hoping to acquire the struggling but talented third baseman, three National League general managers said Wednesday.

Although the Dodgers insist Beltre, out of the starting lineup four times in a seven-game stretch, remains in their plans, other teams believe General Manager Dan Evans might trade Beltre during the season if the situation worsens.

Evans, who did not accompany the team on the trip, has said he is not accepting offers for Beltre, which National League general managers confirmed.

But other Dodger officials conceded that might change in the next few weeks unless Beltre displays the focus and consistency the Dodgers expect. And Beltre’s strained relationship with Manager Jim Tracy is another factor that might spur Evans to make a move.

Meanwhile, agent Scott Boras also is watching.

Boras points out that Beltre was fourth in home runs and runs batted in among league third baseman last season. Moreover, Boras said, Beltre was fourth in RBIs and fifth in homers the last three seasons.

“You don’t judge the Dodgers [21] games into the season, because it’s a club that won [92] games last year, and the same is true for Adrian Beltre,” he said. “You don’t judge him [21] games into a season.”

Trading a physically gifted 24-year-old third baseman is risky, especially with News Corp. in negotiations to sell the club.

The Dodgers have been reluctant to move Beltre because of his potential, and someone would have to answer to new owners if Beltre flourished elsewhere after being traded. Evans said the ownership situation has not affected his plans.

Evans won’t participate in the organization’s public debate on Beltre.

“As far as Adrian, I’m just not going to comment publicly, because I just believe our evaluations of our players should stay in house,” he said. “I’m just looking to have the most productive player we can playing third base.”

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Odalis Perez has sufficiently recovered from a sprained right ankle, so the Dodgers shuffled the rotation for a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Perez, who has not pitched since April 11, will pitch Friday, Hideo Nomo will start Saturday on five days’ rest and Kazuhisa Ishii will close the trip.

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Catcher Paul Lo Duca is in a two-for-25 slump after going hitless in four at-bats during Wednesday’s 3-0 loss at Cincinnati.

His average has dropped from .364 on April 12 to .274.

“Just a couple of days where he hasn’t swung the bat quite as well, that’s it,” Tracy said. “Some of the outs he’s made, he’s hit the ball hard, but hit ‘em right at people. He gives you the best at-bat he can give you every time he goes up there.”