Nakamura Knows He Could Be Gone

Infielder Antonio Perez will be on the same flight to Fresno tonight as left-handed pitcher Wilson Alvarez, joining the Dodger triple-A Las Vegas affiliate to begin a rehabilitation assignment.

Perez, out since April 9 because of a pulled hamstring, is expected to remain with Las Vegas for nearly three weeks, playing third base and second base. The clock will be ticking for infielder Norihiro Nakamura, who could face demotion when the Dodgers activate Perez.

Nakamura, who played 13 seasons in Japan before signing a minor league contract with the Dodgers during the off-season, is batting .167 with one double in 24 at-bats.

“I admit I am feeling pressure,” he said. “I am learning about every pitcher I face. After about 100 at-bats, I will have an idea of how pitchers throw here. Right now, it is not easy to hit.”

Reaching 100 at-bats will be difficult. Perez, a solid hitter who can play second base, third base and shortstop, can’t stay in the minor leagues beyond his rehab assignment because he is out of options, meaning he would have to clear waivers before being demoted.

“I know and understand the contract situation of other players,” Nakamura said. “I might be the guy to go to the minors.”

Manager Jim Tracy said he believed Nakamura could produce if he played more, but he isn’t willing to play him ahead of Jose Valentin.

The only way Nakamura and Perez could both take roster spots would be for the Dodgers to go with 11 pitchers instead of 12, a scenario Tracy said “we will talk about.”

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Pity poor Jeff Weaver, the Dodger starter tonight. He will be the third sinkerball pitcher in a row fed to the Diamondbacks, a scenario Tracy took pains to avoid the first two weeks of the season.

Now there’s little choice.

“As the season begins to unfold, it’s not a perfect world,” Tracy said.

Weaver has alternated two exceptional starts with two horrendous ones. He gave up eight runs and 13 hits in four-plus innings of his last start, so he’s due for a strong outing.

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Injured closer Eric Gagne is scheduled to make 30 pitches in the bullpen today. He said he had no pain in his elbow (sprained in his last spring training appearance) or his knee (sprained early in spring training).

Tracy said Gagne would be activated after building his arm strength, a process that could take less than two weeks.