Lofton Is Activated, but Ross Stays

The light on Cody Ross’ cellphone kept blinking. He rounded the bases on television replays Thursday, again and again, and every time he did someone called and left a message of congratulations.

“Before we got to the airport, I already had 15,” he said. “When we got off the plane, I had 17 more.”

Thursday, the Dodger rookie outfielder joined Darryl Strawberry as the only players in club history to hit a grand slam and three-run homer in the same game.

“Second-greatest day of my life, after my wedding,” Ross said, smiling. “I have to say that, I guess.”

With the Dodgers scheduled to activate center fielder Kenny Lofton on Friday, Ross was well aware he could have been the player cut. Even after his big day, Ross said he was “really nervous” when he arrived at Dodger Stadium on Friday.

The Dodgers did activate Lofton, but they also put pitcher Yhency Brazoban on the disabled list. Manager Grady Little called Ross into his office to assure him he would stay with the Dodgers.

“It takes some pressure off,” Ross said. “I wasn’t putting any pressure on myself to perform. It was more about trying to find somewhere to live.”

Still, he realizes the Dodgers granted him a reprieve, not tenure.

“I don’t know if one game changes their perspective,” he said. “I seriously doubt it.”

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At 4 p.m., Little posted his original lineup, and Lofton wasn’t in it. He had just sat out two weeks because of a strained left calf, so Little decided to take no chances.

“Might be a little wet out there,” Lofton said. “He doesn’t want me to do anything on my first day back. I don’t like it, but he’s the manager, and I respect his decision.”

After the long rain delay, Lofton batted as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and grounded into a double play.

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General Manager Ned Colletti said he had told agent Scott Boras he had no interest in first baseman Carlos Pena, recently released by the Detroit Tigers. The Dodgers hope Nomar Garciaparra, on the disabled list because of a strained muscle in his side, can return next week. If he cannot, the Dodgers consider themselves covered at first base, with James Loney filling in for Garciaparra now and Joel Guzman playing first base at Las Vegas.... Outfielder Jayson Werth said he would have an MRI examination on Monday to assess the healing of his surgically repaired left wrist. He had the operation in November and said he was told he would be out five to nine months.... The Pacific Coast League will induct Tom Lasorda into its Hall of Fame. Lasorda managed the Dodgers’ triple-A teams in Spokane, Wash., and Albuquerque.... Fans with tickets to Friday’s rain-delayed game can exchange their stubs for a free ticket to the May 23 or May 24 home games, the Dodgers said. Fans do not need to have attended Friday’s game.