Teammates Back Slumping Green

Teammates continued to publicly support Shawn Green, saying Thursday that the struggling first baseman has worked tirelessly throughout a disappointing first half.

“I think a lot of people misperceive Greenie, just because of his demeanor,” catcher Paul Lo Duca said. “He’s a low-key person -- that’s just the way he is -- but for anyone to think Greenie doesn’t care ... that’s the furthest thing from the truth. He cares more than anybody in here.

“The whole thing that blows my mind is that people think he’s trying to hit the way he’s hitting. No. He’s just going through something right now. Whether it’s mechanical or mental, you just don’t know, but he cares. That’s what the people in L.A., and all Dodger fans, need to realize. There’s no one who works harder. He’s in the cage every day and he does care. It’s just a tough game for him right now.”

Green, who went 0 for 5 in Los Angeles’ 9-3 loss to San Francisco on Thursday, is the highest-paid Dodger at $16 million, and is owed $16 million next season in the final year of a six-year, $84-million contract. Although Green has not been as consistent or produced as much as the Dodgers had hoped, it would be inaccurate to label him as a “bust.” Green has twice hit at least 42 home runs with the Dodgers, setting a franchise record with 49 in 2002. Last season, Green set a Los Angeles record with 49 doubles.

But he hasn’t fulfilled expectations of the club or fans.

“He was paid this money by the organization, but he didn’t sign up to hit 40 home runs and have 100 RBIs every year,” outfielder Dave Roberts said. “He signed up to go out there and play every day, and that’s what he’s doing. The contract might put a little bit more pressure on him, and I understand the public criticism.

“When you are making that type of money, the expectations are obviously higher, and he understands that. As frustrating as it might be for other people, it’s 100 times more frustrating for him. He cares. To see him struggle like that hurts me, but we’ve still got more than half of the season left.”

*

General Manager Paul DePodesta continued to pursue potential trades, and setup man Guillermo Mota remained a top target of teams seeking bullpen help.

“I think there will probably be more choices, come this time next month, but there are certainly some things out there now that can make us better,” DePodesta said. “If we continue to be patient, I think there might be even more out there over the course of the next few weeks.”

*

Reliever Paul Shuey experienced hip soreness and command problems in Wednesday’s rehabilitation appearance for the club’s rookie-league team at Ogden, Utah. Manager Jim Tracy said Shuey’s next outing for Ogden on Saturday would be scaled back from three innings to two or one.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Angels, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- Channel 13 today and Sunday, Channel 11 on Saturday.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330), KSPN (710), KTNQ (1020).

Records -- Dodgers 37-33, Angels 39-33.

2003 interleague record vs. Angels -- 2-4.

Tonight, 7 -- Jose Lima (6-2, 3.75) vs. Jarrod Washburn (7-3, 5.17).

Saturday, 1 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (4-3, 2.84) vs. Aaron Sele (4-0, 3.56).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Kazuhisa Ishii (8-3, 3.78) vs. Bartolo Colon (5-6, 5.62).