Alomar Trade Paves the Way for Repko’s Return

Those clamoring for Ned Colletti to shake the Dodgers out of their doldrums with a blockbuster deal can only hope the trade he made Sunday is an appetizer before the main course.

Shipping third-string catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. to the Chicago White Sox for minor league pitcher B.J. LaMura won’t have a major effect.

Colletti made the deal primarily to open a roster spot for outfielder Jason Repko, who has completed his minor league rehabilitation assignment and will start in center field tonight against the San Diego Padres.

Although both players in the trade have glowing statistics, age is their most telling number. Alomar is batting .323 and LaMura was 5-0 with a 1.99 earned-run average and three saves for double-A Birmingham.

However, Alomar, 40, no longer can catch at the level necessary for a backup in the major leagues. And LaMura, 25, is long in the tooth for a double-A pitcher despite his strong season. He has given up only 34 hits in 54 1/3 innings, struck out 67, walked 31 and held hitters to a .182 batting average.

LaMura, a right-hander, will be assigned to double-A Jacksonville and Alomar will be able to sleep at home -- he lives in Chicago.

“Sandy Alomar deserved a chance to keep playing,” Colletti said. “He did everything we asked of him and we’ll miss his positive presence in the clubhouse. He’s a true professional.”

Manager Grady Little is looking forward to the return of the aggressive Repko, an exceptional outfielder with good speed and occasional power. He injured his left ankle May 9 trying to climb the outfield wall in a vain effort to catch a home run and sat out 66 games.

“How he plays will determine how he is used,” Little said. “We like his production. We need a spark and think he can provide one.”

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The Dodgers’ lengthy hold on the National League lead in batting average and on-base percentage is in jeopardy. The St. Louis Cardinals have caught them with a .277 average because the Dodgers have dropped eight points since the All-Star break.

The Dodgers on-base percentage of .348 is slightly better than that of the Cincinnati Reds (.346) and Cardinals (.345).

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Brett Tomko’s fastball reached 95 mph in his first minor league rehabilitation appearance at triple-A Las Vegas. Tomko faced five batters in one inning, striking out two and giving up two hits.

Tomko, out since June 24 because of a strained muscle in his side, is scheduled to pitch one inning today and could rejoin the Dodgers by the middle of the week.