Tracy Decides to Take It Easy on Gagne

On second thought, the Dodgers acknowledged it would be a bad idea for closer Eric Gagne to pitch five consecutive days.

At least at this stage of the season.

After raising the possibility of using Gagne for the fifth straight day for the first time, Manager Jim Tracy backed off Saturday, saying Gagne would not pitch in the second game of a three-game interleague series against the Cleveland Indians.

Andy Ashby and Wilson Alvarez combined to defeat the Indians, 5-2.

But Tracy said he still might use Gagne five days in a row later in the season. As for using Gagne four days in a row, that’s no longer surprising, and Tracy is tired of explaining himself.

“You make the rules according to what the individual player shows you,” said Tracy, who has used Gagne four straight days twice this season and twice in 2002.

“This is a pretty good argument [against using Gagne so much] if we’re talking about 24, 26, 28 [pitches]. Then you say, ‘Trace, you’re using him a fourth day in a row?’ Trace wouldn’t use him a fourth day in a row. I wouldn’t be that foolish.

“But when you see 11, 9, 12, 10 [pitches] ... his pitch count is such that it affords me the opportunity to think about the extra day. I know what qualities he possesses that other closers don’t.”

Because of Gagne’s efficiency, Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn believe the right-hander can maintain his current workload. Tracy points to the “number of closers” who throw as many pitches “in one game as Gagne does in four,” explaining he isn’t flying blind.

“I just don’t throw caution to the wind and say, ‘It’s this guy’s turn to pitch today,’ ” Tracy said. “I try to create an environment for success for each and every guy I bring out of that bullpen.”

Gagne believes the situation is being overblown.

“It’s not a big deal,” said Gagne, 1-1 with a 1.80 earned-run average and 25 saves in as many chances.

“Everybody talks about the games I pitch in a row, but I wouldn’t go out there if I didn’t feel right. Trace and Colby wouldn’t let me go out there. It’s simple.”

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First baseman Fred McGriff was out of the lineup after aggravating a groin injury in Friday’s 4-3, 10-inning victory.

Although McGriff is listed as day-to-day with groin tightness, the Dodgers might give him today off in preparation for a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants beginning Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

Wouldn’t that make sense?

“Well, yeah,” McGriff said, smiling. “But you don’t know how you’re going to feel when you wake up tomorrow. You just have to wait and see.”

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Infielder-outfielder Daryle Ward (wrist tendinitis), on a rehabilitation assignment at double-A Jacksonville, is expected to be activated Tuesday.