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Seanez OK with increased workload

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Times Staff Writer

Rudy Seanez isn’t concerned about his increased workload because on the nights he has worked, his work has been minimized.

More draining than pitching in a game, Seanez said, is warming up multiple times in the bullpen. But, he noted, “When I’m up, I’m usually in.” Seanez was called on five times in the Dodgers’ first seven games after the All-Star break.

Manager Grady Little said before Friday’s game against the New York Mets that while he couldn’t make any promises given how heavily worked the Dodgers’ bullpen has become, he would do what he could to let Seanez rest.

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As a nonroster invitee to spring training, the 38-year-old right-hander said he never imagined he would be playing such a big role on the team.

Seanez’s earned-run average dipped to 2.98 after he saved a game in San Francisco on July 14, but he has seen that number rise to 3.57 over his last three outings.

He gave up consecutive home runs in a loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday and again in a loss to the Mets on Thursday. Between those outings, he picked up his sixth win of the season Wednesday.

Seanez didn’t blame his recent decline in form on fatigue, saying the home runs were a result of his putting the ball over the middle of the plate. He said he didn’t feel particularly tired, and denied that he felt obligated to shoulder an increased burden because of the bullpen’s recent heavy workload.

“My only obligation is to be honest,” Seanez said. “At this point, we don’t need anyone to try to be a hero and get hurt.”

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The Dodgers unveiled a new transportation center that they hope will help fans get in and out of the Dodger Stadium parking lots quicker. The center will collect traffic information that will be broadcast on 1610 AM and in traffic reports on 980 AM.

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The team said the system includes cameras that will monitor all 225 acres of stadium parking lots, and will be operated by a traffic manager and a parking manager who will be in contact with 200 parking and security officers. More than 40 Department of Transportation engineers and traffic officers will provide congestion updates from surrounding areas.

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said the club’s next project will be to shorten the lines at concession stands.

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Closer Takashi Saito rested his tired shoulder for a second day in a row, but said he expected to be available today.

Trainer Stan Conte said Saito was experiencing tightness in the muscles on his shoulder blades and neck as a result of fatigue.

Saito received acupuncture treatment from trainer Ichiro Tani on Thursday and Friday. Saito reported he felt soreness when playing catch Friday, but said, “I felt better.”

Saito said he had discomfort in the same part of his shoulder last season, but that the pain was more concentrated.

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Roberto Hernandez, the Dodgers’ new 42-year old reliever, said he was glad to get his first appearance out of the way Thursday night, when he retired the side in the seventh inning.

But, Hernandez said, “I’m not where I could be in arm strength and velocity,” and that was evident in the eighth inning Friday, when he gave up three runs, including Carlos Beltran’s two-run homer, and took the loss in the Mets’ 4-1 victory.

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Randy Wolf delivered 20 pain-free fastballs from a mound and remained on track to throw a bullpen session Sunday and make a rehabilitation start in Class-A San Bernardino on Wednesday. Little said that if Wolf gets through the rehab assignment without incident, he would rejoin the Dodgers in Colorado late next week.

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dylan.hernandez@latimes.com

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