Carrara Isn’t Happy to See Alvarez Leave

The abrupt departure of pitcher Wilson Alvarez weighed heavily on the mind of Giovanni Carrara -- friend, bullpen mate and Venezuelan countryman.

“I’m feeling for him,” Carrara said. “I had no idea that might happen.”

Neither did anyone else. Only three days ago, Dodger General Manager Paul DePodesta said Alvarez just needed to pitch more to regain his effectiveness.

Instead, Alvarez is at his Florida home contemplating whether to retire, go on the disabled list or return to the Dodgers.

After giving up a game-winning home run to Jim Edmonds of St. Louis on Sunday, a despondent Alvarez informed Manager Jim Tracy and DePodesta that he wanted to retire. Later he amended his comments, saying he’d prefer to go on the disabled list.

“We are making sure he takes the time to do what he feels is right,” DePodesta said. “I don’t want to push him in any one direction. We’ll take our direction from him.”

Alvarez, 35, has battled shoulder soreness. He began the season on the disabled list, was activated for less than a month and went back on the disabled list.

Since being activated July 19, he did not pitch well in the left-handed setup role left vacant when Kelly Wunsch was injured.

Left-handers are batting .370 against him, and right-handers are batting .279.

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With no left-hander in the bullpen, Tracy said he would use Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll to face left-handed batters in crucial late-inning situations.

However, the numbers suggest Carrara would be a better choice.

Left-handers are batting .247 against him. They are batting .325 against Sanchez and .314 against Schmoll.

“I use my changeup against left-handed hitters and not against righties,” Carrara said. “It gives me one extra weapon.”

Tracy appears reluctant to use Carrara in any key situations because he has given up big hits and walks in several recent outings.

No left-handers in the farm system are considered ready for promotion. Journeyman Mike Venafro has a 7.75 earned-run average in 39 triple-A appearances, and Luis Gonzalez, 22, has a 10.38 ERA in triple A after pitching well in double A.

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Jeff Kent became the first second baseman to hit 20 home runs or more in nine consecutive seasons when he homered in the second inning against Esteban Loiaza of the Washington Nationals. Kent has hit 30 homers or more three times.