Ashby Is a Trade Barrier

The attempt to include pitcher Andy Ashby in potential trades has slowed the Dodgers’ efforts to acquire a run-producing hitter, general managers familiar with the team’s situation said.

General Manager Dan Evans has only about $2 million to spend under the $117-million luxury tax threshold, so he hopes to remove the remainder of Ashby’s $8-million salary from the payroll, creating more maneuverability to pursue a hitter.

Not surprisingly, teams are reluctant to take on the 12-year veteran, who turns 36 next Friday.

On another Dodger trade front, it appears the Chicago Cubs, believing the Florida Marlins really might not trade third baseman Mike Lowell, have renewed interest in Adrian Beltre.

Gary Hughes, a senior member of the Cub front office, has at least twice been assigned to monitor Beltre. Hughes is expected to be among many scouts focused on Beltre during a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks beginning tonight at Dodger Stadium.

“I heard stuff about me going [to the Cubs] in like a trade with three teams,” Beltre said. “You just don’t know. All I know is, I’m still here right now.”

Meanwhile, a baseball official familiar with Juan Gonzalez’s situation reiterated comments he made last week, saying the Dodgers are not among the leading teams pursuing the Texas Ranger outfielder.

Evans and assistant general manager Kim Ng apparently have contacted every team many times, executives from both leagues said, exploring, well, everything. But again, the Dodgers have payroll constraints and prospect limitations that make completing a major deal difficult for them.

And with so many players far below their career numbers, would several trades even help at this point?

“Nothing is going to help unless we get it done first,” catcher Paul Lo Duca said. “It has to start here.”

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Left fielder Brian Jordan might undergo season-ending knee surgery next week.

After receiving a second opinion from specialist Richard Stedman, Jordan went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday because of a strained left knee tendon.

He plans to “take it easy, get treatment and hopefully get better,” but acknowledges a decision on more surgery must be made soon.

“I’ll be honest about now: I’ve been 50% all year,” said Jordan, who underwent surgery on the tendon last October.

“I’m going to see how it progresses, and if it progresses. The timeline [on a decision] is probably going to be within the next couple of weeks.” Stedman would probably perform the procedure if Jordan elects not have it done by the team.

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As expected, center fielder and leadoff batter Dave Roberts went on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to Wednesday) because of a torn right hamstring.

An MRI exam revealed Roberts suffered an “acute tear,” Manager Jim Tracy said. Hamstring problems also prompted the Dodgers to put Roberts on the disabled list from May 17-31.

Although Roberts can be activated July 16, he won’t adhere to that timetable after returning before he should have last time.

“I need to really do it right this time,” said Roberts, slowed by pain since April. “I tried to go out there and play when it’s not right, I tried to make the most of it. Obviously, that hasn’t worked out too well. Now, I’m going to try to get it right and come back and play like myself.”

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With so much going wrong for the Dodgers at the major league level, they turned to their triple-A club in search of help.

Center fielder Wilkin Ruan and outfielder Chad Hermansen were doing great for the Las Vegas 51s, so they got airline tickets to Los Angeles before the game.

Ruan took the roster spot that opened when Roberts went on the disabled list. The Dodgers optioned outfielder Jason Romano to Las Vegas and purchased Hermansen’s contract.

In 39 games for the 51s, Hermansen was batting .399 with 12 doubles, eight home runs and 26 runs batted in. In 76 games, Ruan was batting .314 with 28 stolen bases.

“We were both swinging well down there, and Wilki brings a lot of energy at the top of lineup,” Hermansen said. “We’re here to help.”

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Pitcher Darren Dreifort recently returned to Dodger Stadium after having undergone season-ending right knee surgery June 18.

“Just taking small steps,” said Dreifort, still on crutches and wearing a knee brace. “I’m starting therapy, but I still really can’t do too much.” Team physician Frank Jobe, who performed the procedure, expects Dreifort to make a full recovery by spring training.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Arizona Diamondbacks, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

Tonight -- 6 p.m.

TV -- Channel 13 today, Channel 11 on Saturday and ESPN on Sunday.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Dodgers 45-38, Diamondbacks 46-38.

Record vs. Diamondbacks -- 4-2.

Tonight, 6 p.m. -- Kazuhisa Ishii (7-3) vs. Miguel Batista (6-3).

Saturday, 1 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (4-7, 4.44) vs. Elmer Dessens (5-4, 5.08).

Sunday, 5 p.m. -- Hideo Nomo (9-7, 2.71) vs. Andrew Good (3-2, 4.94).