Tracy Will Use Dreifort Carefully

Darren Dreifort is still scheduled to start Saturday against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium.

Of course, that’s if his arthritic right knee cooperates.

The Dodger medical staff is hopeful Dreifort’s pain can be managed to enable him to complete the season, but team physician Frank Jobe recently acknowledged there is no “good solution,” adding that “arthritic knees don’t usually get better.”

Manager Jim Tracy’s contradictory comments illustrate the club’s uncertainty about Dreifort’s latest career-threatening situation.

Tracy says the Dodgers “have a pretty good idea of where Dreif is going to be at days before he goes out there to pitch,” but he also says, “It’s not completely clear from day to day, and that is the reality of the situation.”

With right-hander Andy Ashby in the bullpen and left-hander Wilson Alvarez pitching well for triple-A Las Vegas, Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn believe they have enough depth to minimize the impact of Dreifort’s situation on the rest of the rotation.

Even if Dreifort were scratched minutes before a scheduled start, Tracy said, no one else in the rotation would pitch on short rest at this stage of the season.

Tracy seemingly needs to manage cautiously at least a day before Dreifort is scheduled to pitch, saving Ashby just in case, but said he wouldn’t “manage the games cautiously to the point where it ends up costing us.” At this point, the Dodgers would be thrilled if Dreifort (4-4 with a 4.03 earned-run average) started 20 to 25 games and won 10 of them. That’s more than most teams get out of No. 5 starters.

“Dreif has just been throwing great; his stuff is nastier than I’ve ever seen it, and that’s the real hard thing about this,” catcher Paul Lo Duca said.

*

Something special is developing among third baseman Adrian Beltre, shortstop Cesar Izturis and second baseman Alex Cora.

They are considered among the best fielders at their positions in the National League, are excelling as a unit, and the Dodger pitching staff is appreciative.

“To have those guys do what they’re doing, it makes a big difference for a pitcher,” starter Kevin Brown said. “You definitely feel good to have them back there.”

That’s the goal, Beltre said.

“Obviously, we’re not scoring a lot of runs,” he said, “so we have to be the best we can be out there.”

*

Although Tampa Bay Buccaneer owner Malcolm Glazer seemingly is close to purchasing the Dodgers from News Corp., the commissioner’s office has not received a final proposal for approval, baseball executives said.

If a deal is completed soon, some believe Commissioner Bud Selig would schedule an Aug. 15 meeting for owners to vote on the transaction.

*

ON DECK

Opponent -- Kansas City Royals, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- Fox Sports Net 2, all games.

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

Records -- Dodgers 31-25, Royals 27-27.

Record vs. Royals -- First meeting.

Tonight, 7 -- Odalis Perez (4-3, 4.34) vs. Jeremy Affeldt (3-3, 4.66).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Hideo Nomo (6-5, 2.90) vs. Kyle Snyder (0-3, 4.14).

Thursday, 7 p.m. -- Kevin Brown (7-1, 2.02) vs. Kris Wilson (2-0, 4.41).

Tickets -- (323) 224-1448.