It’s Moving Day for the 25-Man Roster

The Dodgers finalized their 25-man roster Saturday night by purchasing the contracts of pitchers Scott Erickson, Buddy Carlyle, Steve Schmoll and Kelly Wunsch.

Pitchers Eric Gagne (sprained right elbow) and Wilson Alvarez (shoulder tendinitis), and outfielder Jayson Werth (broken left wrist) join pitcher Brad Penny on the disabled list. Pitcher Darren Dreifort was moved to the 60-day disabled list.

Outfielder Cody Ross was optioned to the team’s triple-A Las Vegas team. Reassigned to the minor leagues were pitchers Ryan Rupe and Mike Venafro, infielders Norihiro Nakamura and Mike Edwards and catcher Mike Rose.

Infielder Brian Myrow was designated for assignment. Infielder Oscar Robles was returned to the Mexico City team in the Mexican League.

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Being a closer isn’t the problem, says Gagne, who ought to know. It’s thinking about it.

With Gagne on the disabled list, Yhency Brazoban has been handed the closer role.

“He knows how to get people out,” Gagne said. “But I talked to him about pitching in the ninth inning. Sometimes, when pitchers think about it being the ninth inning, they get in trouble, mess up. ... I told him, just think of it like the seventh inning.”

Gagne was injured in the Dodgers’ exhibition game against the New York Mets on Thursday. “I had just thrown a curveball to the first batter I faced,” he said. “When my arm dropped down, I felt it.”

Did Gagne think about coming out then? “No,” he said, “because there was no sharp pain, just a tightness. Now, I don’t feel anything unless I rotate my arm.”

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Becoming the newest Dodger play-by-play announcer is not just a nice employment opportunity for Charley Steiner. It is the realization of the dream.

“The first voice I ever heard on the radio was that of Vin Scully,” said Steiner, who grew up on Long Island, N.Y. The first baseball game he attended was a Dodger-Cincinnati Reds game at Ebbets Field in 1957, the Dodgers’ last year in Brooklyn.

“After 38 years in this business, I was jaded,” Steiner said. “Getting the Dodger job has de-jaded me.”