Hendrickson finds a source of relief

No, Mark Hendrickson’s success pitching out of the bullpen is not a result of the lanky left-hander finally finding his calling.

It might be more of a function of Hendrickson calling performance-enhancement specialist Ken Ravizza, who has helped the Dodgers’ converted starter make the most of a difficult situation.

Acknowledging his disappointment at starting the season in the bullpen, Hendrickson said his focus had shifted to “executing pitches....It doesn’t matter when it is, whether it’s the first inning or the ninth inning. That’s the part I can control.”

Hendrickson has exhibited pinpoint control in his first two appearances this season, walking none, striking out seven and giving up only one run in six innings. Batters are hitting .105 against him.

“He’s putting the ball where he wants to,” pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said. “When he does that, he moves the ball around and he’s got four quality pitches and [hitters] can’t really sit on one thing.”

Honeycutt said Hendrickson “would probably be our top choice” if somebody outside the current rotation needed to make a spot start.

Hendrickson has excelled since a demotion to the bullpen in September. He had an 0.84 earned-run average in 10 relief appearances and did not give up a run in three playoff appearances against the New York Mets.

“I think it’s just a matter of realizing that when I got over here, I wasn’t pitching the way I was capable of pitching and just making some adjustments in preparation and just trying to build off it,” said Hendrickson, who was 2-7 overall with a 4.68 ERA last season with the Dodgers after being acquired from Tampa Bay on June 27.

Devil Rays Manager Joe Maddon helped Hendrickson connect with Ravizza, who lives in Orange County and had known Maddon since he worked for the Angels. Though he usually speaks with Ravizza by phone, Hendrickson had a chance to visit him in person Wednesday.

“I’m going to work with him as much as I feel needed, and it’s not always going to be when I desperately need him if things aren’t going well,” he said. “It’s a matter of a work in progress, just like I’m a work in progress. You can always get better, so that’s what I’m trying to focus on.”

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Shortstop Wilson Valdez appeared to have been granted at least a temporary reprieve when right fielder Matt Kemp went on the disabled list because of a separated shoulder because the Dodgers can now send reliever Chin-hui Tsao back to triple-A Las Vegas this weekend if Rafael Furcal is activated from the disabled list.

They will face a more difficult decision once Kemp returns in a couple of weeks. Manager Grady Little appeared to indicate that Valdez might not necessarily be the odd man out, saying the utility player had done “an unbelievable job. He’s got a lot of versatility, good running speed, good hands, good defensive player and he’s hitting” .438 before Wednesday.

Valdez is out of options, meaning he could become a free agent or be picked up on waivers if the Dodgers try to send him to the minors. Would it be tough to lose a player like that?

“I’d say,” Little said.

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In what the Dodgers hope will be his second and final rehabilitation game before rejoining them Friday for the opener of a series against San Diego, Furcal was one for two with a walk and a stolen base in six innings Wednesday night while playing shortstop for Class-A Inland Empire. Little said Furcal would bat leadoff, with current leadoff man Juan Pierre moving into the No. 2 spot and Russell Martin dropping four spots to No. 6 in the batting order.

ben.bolch@latimes.com