Price Not Right for Beltre

It appears struggling third baseman Adrian Beltre won’t be traded during the season unless the Dodgers lower their demands.

Clubs have been surprised to learn the Dodgers want top major league-ready prospects for Beltre, a National League executive said Thursday.

Some teams have interest in Beltre, including the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks, but are reluctant to part with their best young players for someone who is batting .218, has a $3.7 million salary and can become a free agent after next season.

Also, executives in both leagues doubt the Dodgers have the prospects to acquire productive third baseman Mike Lowell of the Florida Marlins. Lowell is at the top of many teams’ wish lists, and others have more highly regarded pitching prospects to offer Florida.

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Starter Darren Dreifort might be on the verge of undergoing knee surgery for the second time in as many seasons. Dreifort is on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his arthritic right knee, and a custom-fitted knee brace did not help relieve his pain while making pitching motions. The right-hander is scheduled to be examined today by team physician Ralph Gambardella.... Backup catcher Todd Hundley underwent successful surgery to remove a disk fragment in his back, a team spokesman said.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Chicago White Sox, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- Channel 13 all games.

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

Records -- Dodgers 33-26, White Sox 26-33.

Record vs. White Sox -- first meeting.

Tonight, 7 -- Kazuhisa Ishii (4-2, 3-21) vs. Mark Buehrle (2-8, 4-73).

Saturday, 7 p.m. -- Andy Ashby (0-3, 6.59) vs. Bartolo Colon (5-5, 3.96).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (4-3, 4.29) vs. Esteban Loaiza (8-2, 1.90).