Playoff Roster May Not Include Penny

After acquiring first baseman Hee-Seop Choi and pitcher Brad Penny in a controversial trade July 30, the Dodgers could leave both players off a potential postseason roster.

Choi, benched this month in favor of Jayson Werth, has not played in eight days. He is hitless in 21 career at-bats as a pinch-hitter, and since joining the Dodgers, he is batting .164 with no home runs.

Penny has not pitched since Aug. 8, when he strained his right biceps muscle and irritated an adjacent nerve. Manager Jim Tracy said the Dodgers would not consider using him as a reliever in the playoffs, so Penny has three weeks to convince them he can return as a starter.

He is scheduled to throw batting practice Tuesday. The Dodgers remain hopeful he can pitch out of the bullpen in lopsided games sometime soon, building arm strength to where he could start a game or two after the team clinches a playoff spot, but Tracy noted the timetable is unforgiving.

“If he has any kind of setback, that’s when the plug is pulled,” Tracy said.

General Manager Paul DePodesta said he would “definitely not” include Choi or Penny on a playoff roster to justify the trade, which sent All-Star catcher Paul Lo Duca and setup man Guillermo Mota to the Florida Marlins.

“We’ll try to get the best 25 men we can, if we get there,” DePodesta said.

With Robin Ventura and Olmedo Saenz available to back up first baseman Shawn Green, Choi’s spot on a playoff roster might be better used for a pinch-runner, pinch-hitter or third catcher. The Angels included Chone Figgins on their 2002 playoff roster as a pinch-runner.

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Tracy said pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii, bothered by back stiffness much of the season, would have a precautionary MRI exam today. Tracy said the decision to send Ishii for an MRI was “completely unrelated” to Saturday’s decision to remove him from the rotation.

ON DECK

Opponent -- San Diego Padres, four games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- Fox Sports Net 2, all games.

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

Records -- Dodgers 83-59, Padres 76-67.

Record vs. Padres -- 8-4.

Tonight, 7 -- Odalis Perez (6-4, 3.22) vs. David Wells (10-7, 3.57).

Tuesday, 7 -- Jose Lima (12-5, 4.12) vs. Justin Germano (1-1, 7.13).

Wednesday, 7 -- Wilson Alvarez (7-5, 4.10) vs. Brian Lawrence (14-12, 3.89).

Thursday, 7 -- Jeff Weaver (12-10, 3.77) vs. Adam Eaton (9-13, 4.91).