When He’s Ready, Perez Wants to Start

The Dodgers’ using Odalis Perez solely out of the bullpen, should he pitch again this season, is news to the left-hander. And it’s not news he cares for much.

“If I’m ready to pitch, then I want to pitch and start,” Perez, who has been shelved since Aug 18 with a strained right oblique, said Monday afternoon.

“I haven’t relieved in a long, long time. I know there’s no minor leagues to go to pitch a rehab game, but if I’m ready to pitch, I’m ready to pitch. I’ll be facing the same batters.

“Nobody has said anything to me. Ask me and then make the decision.”

To make sure Perez, who last made a relief appearance in 2001 with the Atlanta Braves, did not misunderstand Manager Jim Tracy’s designs, it was explained in Spanish to Perez, who is Dominican, that he would be used in relief only to close out this season. And that it was not meant to be a career-altering decision.

Said Perez: “Oh, OK. Well, still, ask me first. Then make the decision.”

He is scheduled to throw a light bullpen session today to test his health.

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An MRI exam of Ricky Ledee’s sore left hamstring revealed no change from his last exam, in June, ruling out surgery for the outfielder.

“Obviously, we’re encouraged by that,” Tracy said. “We have to form a definitive course of action in terms of rehab and strengthening.”

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Although Wilson Alvarez (sore pitching shoulder) is scheduled to throw to hitters today in a session that will be “roughly 40 pitches,” Tracy does not expect J.D. Drew (broken left wrist) to contribute much, if anything, down the stretch.

“I’d be very surprised if he participates between now and season’s end,” Tracy said.

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When Jose Cruz Jr. joined the Dodgers in an Aug. 9 trade with Boston, the outfielder was advertised as a complementary piece. Tracy admitted he has been pleasantly surprised by Cruz becoming such an integral piece of late.

“He plays hard every phase of the game,” Tracy said.

Would he like to see the free agent return next year?

“Could he fit in here?” said Tracy, who could also opt out of his contract at the end of the season. “Very definitely.”