Return of Nomo Is Imminent

Hideo Nomo to the rescue?

Manager Jim Tracy said Friday the Dodgers planned to activate Nomo from the disabled list to take Wilson Alvarez’s spot in the rotation, and they hope the veteran right-hander provides a boost to a group that has an 11.01 earned-run average in its last six games.

Tracy said the Dodgers have not determined when Nomo would start, but he is expected to pitch Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second game of a three-game series at Bank One Ballpark. Since rosters expand that day, the Dodgers would not have to remove a player from the roster to bring back Nomo.

The Dodgers -- impressed with Nomo’s 5 1/3 -inning, 10-strikeout performance Thursday night in his final start for triple-A Las Vegas -- plan to shuffle the rotation to have Nomo start before they play the St. Louis Cardinals in the final series of a four-city, 13-game, 14-day trip.

There had been speculation that Nomo might pitch out of the bullpen if he completed a lengthy rehabilitation and throwing program. However, he has been a starter throughout his 10-year career in the major leagues, and before that in five seasons in Japan.

Despite Nomo’s final strong performance for the 51s, in which his fastball was consistently clocked at 90 mph or higher in a 94-pitch outing, the Dodgers don’t know whether he’s the pitcher who won 32 games the previous two seasons, or the one who went 3-10 with an 8.06 earned-run average in 14 starts this season, including 0-9 with an 8.80 ERA in his last 10.

But with the playoffs approaching, they want to learn more about Nomo.

“Are there some things that we’re seeking answers to as far as Hideo Nomo is concerned? The answer is yes,” Tracy said. “With what this man has done the last two seasons, and with the possibility still existing of having him help this team, there are definitely some things you’d like to try and find out.”

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Right-hander Masao Kida was optioned to Las Vegas after pitching two scoreless innings Friday in a 9-2 loss to the New York Mets, and the club purchased the contract of left-hander Scott Stewart from the 51s.

Stewart had no record and a 2.45 ERA in four games for Las Vegas. Kida, promoted from Las Vegas on Tuesday, worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings in three appearances for the Dodgers.

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Injured pitcher Brad Penny (nerve problem) continued in the early stages of his throwing program, playing catch for a third consecutive day.

Penny, who plans to take today off, is weeks away from returning, the Dodgers said.