Saenz Is Strong Off Bench

Though Manager Jim Tracy continually tinkers with his lineup in an effort to give reserves enough playing time to stay sharp, Olmedo Saenz has managed to sizzle without the benefit of a single starting assignment.

The Dodger reserve is batting .313 with two home runs and five runs batted in and has a slugging percentage of .750 in 16 at-bats. Saenz hit a pinch-hit, two-run homer May 9 to give the Dodgers a 9-7 victory in 14 innings and added a solo homer Tuesday after entering the game as a late defensive replacement at first base.

“He can do those type of things with such a limited number of at-bats, there’s not a whole lot of guys in either league off the top of your head that you could mention that are as good as doing that in that fashion,” Tracy said. “He brings an intangible to our club that we definitely needed.”

Saenz, a 33-year-old journeyman who hasn’t played in more than 106 games in a season, said he was pleased with the impact he has made since signing as a minor league free agent Dec. 19.

“All I want to do is prepare myself the best I can and be ready for any situation and help the team somehow to get wins,” Saenz said. “When you’re on the bench, you have to know the situation of the game, who’s coming in to pitch. Just relax and don’t put too much in your head. It’s hard enough when you don’t play every day.”

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The Dodgers probably will use an off day Monday to skip Hideo Nomo’s next turn in the rotation, allowing the right-hander’s split fingernail additional time to heal. If Nomo’s injury precludes him from starting May 29 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tracy said Jose Lima probably will take the mound.

Trainer Matt Wilson said Nomo’s nail, which split in the second inning Wednesday, was still tender Thursday. It was too early to tell when Nomo might be able to resume throwing, Wilson said.

“The biggest thing is time for it to heal,” Tracy said.

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Dave Roberts will run the bases for the first time today in what he hopes is the final step preceding a return to left field. Tracy declined to specify a best-case scenario for inserting Roberts back in the lineup, but Roberts said he was “definitely optimistic” about being activated off the disabled list before the end of a trip that has six games remaining.

“I ran at 100% today and I feel great,” Roberts said Thursday. “But I think they’re still conscious of how I recover the next day. I definitely understand their reservations. Even if it costs me a day or two extra now, to gain a couple of months on the back end is well worth it.”

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Tracy’s recent lineups continue to demonstrate his preference for statistics over hot hands. Jose Hernandez was given the start at shortstop Thursday in place of Cesar Izturis, who hit a three-run homer Wednesday. Tracy took Jason Grabowski out of the lineup Wednesday, one night after the left fielder hit two homers in a game for the first time.

“It accomplishes two things,” Tracy said of his tendency to substitute players based on matchups.

“It keeps your bench players sharp and it gives guys that are playing an awfully lot a day to recoup.”

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Chuck Tiffany pitched a seven-inning perfect game Thursday for Class-A Columbus during a 10-0 win over Greensboro. Tiffany was a second-round selection in last year’s amateur draft out of Charter Oak High.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Atlanta Braves, three games.

Site -- Turner Field.

TV -- Fox Sports Net 2 tonight, Channel 11 on Saturday, Channel 13 on Sunday.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Dodgers 22-17, Braves 18-21.

2003 record vs. Braves -- 2-4.

Today, 4:30 p.m. -- Odalis Perez (2-2, 3.59) vs. Russ Ortiz (3-4, 5.18).

Saturday, 10:20 a.m. -- Jeff Weaver (2-5, 5.07) vs. Jaret Wright (2-4, 3.55).

Sunday, 10 a.m. -- Wilson Alvarez (2-0, 2.48) vs. Mike Hampton (0-5, 6.36).