Ross Has Staying Power

Cody Ross was blindfolded with a sword in his back prodding him down the plank. He had his hands tied behind his back and no reprieve in sight. He had his name all but typed onto the waiver wire.

It was supposed to be his last game as a Dodger. Instead, the rookie outfielder might have earned a stay after hitting a grand slam and a three-run homer to overwhelm the Pittsburgh Pirates, 13-5, Thursday at PNC Park.

The Dodgers planned to designate Ross for assignment when center fielder Kenny Lofton comes off the disabled list today or Saturday, meaning they would have 10 days to trade, waive or release him.

Now they might want to designate him for the Hall of Fame instead. Or at least keep him on the roster until he cools. Ross is batting .500 after going three for five with seven runs batted in.

Manager Grady Little said a spot could be created for Ross by reducing the pitching staff from 12 to 11, something he said was already under discussion because several relievers aren’t getting enough work. Yhency Brazoban and Franquelis Osoria would be the most likely candidates to go to triple A.

“We’ll sit down and sort it out when everybody gets back [from Pittsburgh],” said General Manager Ned Colletti, who was chewing on alternatives while eating lunch in Los Angeles.

Keeping Ross along with five other outfielders is not a long-term solution because there is no need for six outfielders. The only other outfielder who could conceivably go to the minors is Jason Repko, but he is batting .333 and has been solid in center in Lofton’s absence.

So perhaps all Ross accomplished with his big day was to pique the interest of other teams seeking a backup outfielder, a player capable of single-handedly destroying another team on a particular day.

He has gone from being shark bait to trade bait.

“It weighs on me,” Ross said. “It is stressful. I have no clue what they are going to do with me.”

Roy Smith, the front-office executive traveling with the team, sought out Ross in the clubhouse to shake his hand. But he didn’t make any promises.

“Not one person has said anything remotely close to telling me what is going on,” Ross said. “Obviously I want to stay here forever. It’s a great organization, a great city, a great everything.

“But it’s seriously minute by minute. I’m just trying to make it tough on whoever is making decisions.”

He has being doing that since spring training. Ross wasn’t expected to make the opening-day roster. But Lofton’s injury gave him a spot, a just reward for batting .318 with four homers in the spring.

The Dodgers cannot simply send him to the minors, because he is out of options. If he is designated for assignment, he would be placed on 72-hour waivers at some point during the 10 days and almost certainly would be claimed.

That is a worst-case scenario because the Dodgers would be giving him away. Colletti has been trying to work a trade since the spring, but so far hasn’t found a partner willing to give up a player of equal value.

Maybe that will change now that Ross’s highlights were played on television and the box score appeared in the paper.

“He’s been on a mission since spring training began,” said Smith, vice president for scouting and development.

The victory gave the Dodgers a 4-3 record on the two-city trip and evened their overall mark to 5-5 as they begin a nine-game homestand tonight against the San Francisco Giants.

Although their pitching has been inconsistent, the Dodgers have hit well. The team batting average is .312 and they lead the majors with 118 hits. After hitting only one home run in the first four games, they have hit 10 in the last six.

Derek Lowe gave up six hits and two earned runs in six innings to even his record at 1-1.