Alvarez Headed to Bullpen

Wilson Alvarez won’t start for the Dodgers any time soon, and it has nothing to do with the left hip strain that caused him to leave after only two innings in his last appearance.

The 14-year veteran requested a return to the bullpen Monday morning in a meeting with Manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn, saying he thought he could help the team while preserving his stamina by pitching in relief.

“I’m not 21, 25 anymore,” said Alvarez, 34. “I need to save my shells, my bullets, so I asked them and they agreed. I’m here to do whatever, but I think I can help this team out of the pen for two or three innings, rest a couple of days and do it again.

“The less work I get but the more often I pitch, the better control I get.”

Tracy said Alvarez, who won his first two starts this season before foot and hip injuries led to ineffectiveness in his last three outings, was better served pitching out of the bullpen and making spot starts.

“To run the gamut of 30 to 30-plus starts with this guy, you’re just running the risk of breaking him down,” Tracy said. “So when we do get Wilson back, we’re going to see him more than likely filter into our bullpen and be that middle-inning guy that helped win us three or four games early in the season.”

Alvarez, who could sit without pain Monday morning for the first time since injuring his hip Friday against Arizona, said he felt better and would start playing catch today. The left-hander acknowledged that he probably pushed himself too hard his last three starts because of his desire to play after sitting out two of the last three seasons because of a left shoulder injury.

“The last couple of years on the DL, not playing and being in the training room all the time, I’m kind of sick of it,” Alvarez said. “I tried to suck it up and just go out there and try, and it just made it worse.”

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Tracy announced that Edwin Jackson would be activated and start Wednesday against Milwaukee before probably being sent back to triple-A Las Vegas.

Jackson was 5-2 with a 5.13 earned-run average in 10 starts for Las Vegas, walking 24 and striking out 38 in 52 2/3 innings. The 20-year-old was 2-1 with a 2.46 ERA in four appearances last season for the Dodgers.

“I feel like he has the pitches that are necessary to have to pitch to this [Milwaukee] lineup,” Tracy said, “and I think that if he gets the ball over the plate and throws strikes, he’ll be just fine.”

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Hideo Nomo threw all his pitches in another bullpen session Monday and is scheduled to make a rehabilitation start for Las Vegas on Thursday against Edmonton. If Nomo’s split nail on his right index finger holds up, the right-hander will pitch for the Dodgers on June 8 against the Toronto Blue Jays at SkyDome.

Tracy said Nomo’s shoulder also appears to be progressing from off-season surgery.

“He’s throwing the ball freer than he threw it for the entire portion of spring training and through several starts that he had the first month and a half of the season,” Tracy said. “If that’s the case, then I think what we’re describing here is the guy that we saw much of in 2002 and 2003. That only enhances our situation if it ends up being like that.”

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Even though Jose Lima has not given up an earned run in his last 19 2/3 innings, the right-hander will not start for at least two more weeks. Because of off days, the Dodgers won’t need a fifth starter until June 12 against the Boston Red Sox, and Tracy said it was too early to discuss options that far in advance.... Milton Bradley sat out a second consecutive game because of a sprained left ankle but could return today.... Shawn Green attributed his recent surge at the plate to striding a little earlier during his swing, which allows him to see the ball better.