Hochevar Might Lower Asking Price

Luke Hochevar must begin classes at Tennessee by early next week, giving the Dodgers three or four more days to negotiate with the talented right-handed pitcher before losing his rights.

The Dodgers took him with the 40th overall pick in the June free-agent draft although he had let teams know it would take about $4 million to sign him. A pitcher with similar potential, Craig Hansen of St. John’s, recently signed for $4 million after being taken by Boston with the 26th pick. So it would appear Hochevar had correctly gauged his value.

Not so, according to Dodger General Manager Paul DePodesta. “I’m not sure there is such a thing as a market for drafted players,” he said. “We’re definitely still hopeful, but if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.”

The Dodgers, with scouting director Logan White spearheading the negotiations, have offered about $2.5 million. Hochevar’s advisor, Scott Boras, won’t comment because doing so might affect his client’s NCAA eligibility should he wish to return to Tennessee.

But others in the Hochevar camp have suggested it would take less than $4 million for him to agree to a minor league deal -- meaning he would get the money up front as a signing bonus. That would suit the Dodgers, who are reluctant to offer a major league contract that would require him to fill a spot on the already crowded 40-man roster.

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DePodesta did speak to Boras on Friday night, but the topic was a contract extension for starting pitcher Jeff Weaver, who becomes a free agent after the season. Dodger sources have said Weaver (12-8) would have to agree to a lower average annual value than his current $9.25-million salary.

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Shortstop Cesar Izturis will not be placed on the disabled list because an MRI exam of his lower back showed only muscle damage. He’ll remain on the active roster, and the team could play short-handed until Sept. 1 when the roster expands from 25 to 40. Izturis has missed four games in a row.

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Dr. Timothy Kremchek examined Milton Bradley’s injured left knee in Cincinnati and plans to meet with Dodger physicians Frank Jobe and Ralph Gambardella before making his diagnosis public. Bradley had requested a second opinion after Jobe diagnosed the injury as an 80% tear of the patella tendon. Jobe also saw some damage to the anterior cruciate ligament.

Bradley was put on the disabled list Thursday, two days after he made disparaging comments about teammate Jeff Kent, and is not expected to play again this season.