Tomko Is Ready but Still Waiting

Brett Tomko stood in front of his locker Wednesday and talked for 10 minutes about how excited he was to rejoin the Dodgers after spending a month on the disabled list. He was delighted with his recovery from a strained muscle in his side and thrilled with becoming a relief pitcher.

Only one problem.

The Dodgers couldn’t create a roster spot for him in time for the game, despite assurances from Manager Grady Little that a move would be made.

Little expected that either first baseman Nomar Garciaparra or reliever Danys Baez would be put on the disabled list. However, Garciaparra’s treatment for a minor knee injury is going well and Baez balked at any suggestion that his flu-like symptoms were a reason to sit out 15 days.

Baez left Tuesday’s game in the ninth inning because he felt dizzy and has been fighting illness since the All-Star break. But, he said, “I’m not going to be on the DL. For what? A roster opening? They can trade somebody.”

He’s right -- a trade could open up a spot. Although most conjecture has been on General Manager Ned Colletti acquiring a starting pitcher or a power hitter, he also is pursuing other deals.

Trading Baez isn’t far-fetched. He’s in the last year of his contract and a team desperate for a closer could hope he returns to the form he showed with Tampa Bay from 2003 to 2005.

Also, the Dodgers are carrying six outfielders, making Jose Cruz Jr. or Ricky Ledee expendable. Both veterans are in the last year of their contracts and might be sought by a team in contention looking to strengthen its bench.

With no game today, the Dodgers have until before Friday’s night game to make a move that would allow Tomko to be activated.

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Ozzie Guillen opened his mouth again and Mariano Duncan is upset again.

Duncan, the Dodgers first base coach, criticized the Chicago White Sox manager three weeks ago for a series of inflammatory comments, saying, “He embarrassed every Latino player, coach and front-office person.”

In comments to the Chicago Sun-Times, Guillen said this week that Duncan had called to apologize to him. Duncan said Wednesday that no such call took place.

“He’s a liar,” Duncan said. “I said what I said and I meant what I said. I never called him and I never will.”

Guillen brought up Duncan while responding to criticism from another first base coach -- Andy Van Slyke of the Detroit Tigers.

“[Duncan] tried to call me and apologize on the phone,” Guillen said. “When I make mistakes, I go to national radio, national TV to apologize to people. Those guys tried to apologize to me behind the scenes.”