Gagne’s Return Might Be Soon

Closer Eric Gagne could be activated soon after the Dodgers return home from their seven-game trip May 13, Manager Jim Tracy said Friday.

Gagne, sidelined all season because of a sprained elbow, will begin a rehabilitation assignment Sunday at triple-A Las Vegas. He threw 25-30 pitches against teammates Norihiro Nakamura and Olmedo Saenz before the game against the Reds.

How was his stuff?

“Filthy,” Tracy said. “The most encouraging thing besides his elbow being fine is that he was driving with his legs. It was the Gagne I know.”

The Dodgers have targeted Gagne’s return between May 15-18. Yhency Brazoban, who has notched nine saves in 10 chances, would become the setup man.

General Manager Paul DePodesta said there was no chance Gagne or Brazoban would be traded to fill the hole at third base created by the injury to Jose Valentin.

“I love having those last six outs of a ballgame” taken care of by two dominant relievers, he said.

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Adhering to a policy voted on by the players before the season, the Dodgers boarded a charter flight Wednesday night immediately after the last game of their homestand rather than using the off day Thursday to travel.

Although most players spent the day sleeping following the red-eye flight, Tracy and first-base coach John Shelby had more pressing matters.

Tracy, who grew up in nearby Hamilton, Ohio, visited his father, Jim, who is seriously ill with prostate cancer. Tracy’s parents and brother attended the game Friday night and plan to see the next two games as well. “I don’t know how many more games he’ll be able to see,” Tracy said. “But he doesn’t want anybody feeling sorry for him.”

Shelby drove 80 miles to Lexington, Ky., to visit his wife and six children. All but one of the Shelby brood attended the game -- his oldest son, John, plays baseball for Kentucky.

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Infielder Antonio Perez, on a rehabilitation assignment at Las Vegas, was hit in the head by a pitch Wednesday and left the game. Perez was back in the lineup Friday night. ... Vero Beach Dodger third baseman Andy LaRoche was chosen player of the month and teammate Chuck Tiffany was recognized as pitcher of the month of April in the Class-A Florida State League. Also, Luis Gonzalez of the Dodger double-A affiliate in Jacksonville was Southern League pitcher of the month.

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DODGERS TODAY

DODGERS’

DEREK LOWE

vs.

CINCINNATI’S

RAMON ORTIZ

*--* THE MATCHUPS 2005 2004 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA DODGERS/Lowe (R) 2-2 1.96 3-3 -- -- -- Cincinnati/Ortiz (R) 0-1 9.00 0-2 0-0 5.0 1.80

*--*

Great American Ball Park, 10:15 a.m. PDT

TV -- FSNW2. Radio -- 980, 1330.

Update -- Ortiz, traded to the Reds by the Angels in December, will make his second start since coming off the disabled list. He had a groin injury in spring training and re-injured it in mid-April.

-- Steve Henson