Contract Extension for Tracy Is Likely

Pleased with the work of Manager Jim Tracy and the coaching staff, first-year General Manager Paul DePodesta said Saturday he probably would offer the group contract extensions.

“I’m really, really happy with the job they’ve done overall,” DePodesta said. “I haven’t made the decision, because otherwise it would be done, but I’m a lot closer than I was three weeks ago, in terms of making that call. And again, I’m happy with the job these guys have done.”

Tracy, the manager since 2001, is in the final season of his contract. Coaches Tim Wallach (batting), Jim Riggleman (bench), Jim Colborn (pitching), Glenn Hoffman (third base), John Shelby (first base), Manny Mota (special assignments) and Jim Lett (bullpen) have one-year deals.

DePodesta said the team’s making the playoffs would not necessarily be a factor in his decision.

“I had set aside August and September to make non-player personnel decisions, looking at field guys, office people, all that kind of stuff, and it has been a focus of mine for the last couple of weeks,” DePodesta said. “When I feel I’m ready to make a decision, we’re going to go ahead and do it, we’re not going to wait.

“But I don’t want to make one decision without having made the next five I need to make. I want to have everything in my mind, clearly set, about what I’m going to do with everybody before I start rolling it [his plan] out.”

Tracy appeared pleased when informed of DePodesta’s comments.

“You appreciate the fact that someone who came in and didn’t know anyone at all afforded us all the opportunity to just do our work while he evaluated us,” Tracy said. “You have to be very flattered by that.”

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Tracy made it official, saying Hideo Nomo would be activated from the disabled list to start Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“If everything holds true to form with what we heard, with regard to his most recent rehab start, he could help our rotation,” Tracy said. “If he’s consistently at 88 to 90 mph, and displays the command that he displayed, then you’re talking a lot about the Hideo Nomo of ’02 and ’03.

“Once we get involved with major league hitters, we’ll see, but I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. The right thing to do is let him go out and pitch, and let’s see where he’s at.”

To insert Nomo in the rotation, the Dodgers will skip Jose Lima’s turn in Arizona. He’ll pitch Friday at St. Louis.