Penny Works on His Self-Control

Brad Penny’s blowups this season have been disturbing and memorable. But the pitcher and Manager Grady Little say there have been many other occasions when Penny has successfully kept his emotions under control.

“I think he has done an outstanding job working on that and is getting better all the time,” Little said. “He and I have talked about that a lot. I think it’s helping his performance on the mound tremendously.”

Penny, 28, is tied for second in the National League with 13 victories. He started the All-Star game. Yet the enduring images of him are of fellow Dodgers holding him back from charging an umpire or a teammate, and of him barking at an umpire between innings.

General Manager Ned Colletti is concerned, but is letting Little and the coaches handle Penny.

“It’s something Brad needs to be aware of,” Colletti said.

Penny said he understands every call won’t go his way. “Umpires are human. Missed calls can cost you a game. But they should even out eventually.”

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Should the Dodgers make the playoffs, they would have 29 players to choose from in building a 25-man roster -- the active players as of Sept. 1 and minor league replacements for Eric Gagne, Jayson Werth, Yhency Brazoban and Bill Mueller, who are on the disabled list. Mueller has all but given up his attempt to rejoin the team as a pinch-hitter because his right knee simply won’t cooperate.

The additional four openings would mean that players who contributed earlier in the year but were sent to triple A for seasoning could be eligible for the playoffs despite not being on the roster Sept. 1. Strong candidates include outfielder Matt Kemp, first baseman James Loney and left-handed pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo.

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It is unlikely that the Dodgers would try to bring back veteran pinch-hitter Ricky Ledee, a source said. Ledee signed a two-year contract before the 2005 season but was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets on Aug. 7. The Mets designated him for assignment two days ago to make room for Shawn Green and have 10 days to trade him or he becomes a free agent.

The Dodgers haven’t given up on improving their roster before Sept. 1, however. A small handful of productive hitters have cleared waivers, and the Dodgers have made offers on more than one. Any player acquired before Sept. 1 would be eligible for the playoffs.

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Tim Stauffer, the San Diego Padres pitcher who stifled the Dodgers four days after getting beaten by their triple-A affiliate Las Vegas, was sent back to triple A, and was beaten again by Las Vegas on Friday, giving up four runs in the first inning. He is 6-13 in triple A.