BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Zeile Might Enter Picture at Third

The Dodgers, who nearly dealt for third baseman Todd Zeile and outfielder Jim Eisenreich from the Philadelphia Phillies before Wednesday night’s trading deadline, once again are interested in Zeile.

The Dodgers could be without third baseman Tim Wallach for another three weeks because of his broken rib, and strongly are considering putting a waiver claim on Zeile. This would allow the Dodgers exclusive negotiating rights with the Phillies for Zeile if no team with a worse record than the Dodgers claims him. If they are unable to work out a deal, Zeile will simply return to the Phillies.

The asking price for Zeile?

The Phillies will demand center fielder Roger Cedeno, according to a Phillies executive.

It turns out that the Phillies and Dodgers were close to a deal before Wednesday’s waiver deadline in which the Phillies would have sent Zeile and Eisenreich to the Dodgers for Cedeno and two other players. The Dodgers instead chose to acquire center fielder Chad Curtis of the Detroit Tigers.

Zeile was put on waivers Thursday, and by 2 p.m. Monday, the Phillies will know whether he cleared waivers or was claimed.

The Dodgers also have interest in third basemen Jeff King of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ed Sprague of the Toronto Blue Jays and Terry Pendleton of the Florida Marlins.

The Dodgers could try to activate Wallach before Aug. 31, but keep him on the disabled list, allowing them the option of putting him on their playoff roster. Only players on the 25-man roster and disabled list Sept. 1 are eligible for the playoffs.

“It’s frustrating, it’s hard to say how long it will take,” Wallach said. “I broke a rib three years ago, and it took three weeks. But this isn’t as painful.”

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Chad Fonville, who sparked the playoff drive a year ago, was optioned to triple-A Albuquerque, as expected, to make room for reliever Jim Bruske.

The Dodgers are planning to send Fonville, who will play shortstop at Albuquerque, to winter ball.

“Let’s face it, he’s struggled up here offensively,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “I think Chad simply needs to get back a little confidence. He needs to keep the ball out of the air, and do the little things that got him here.”

Bruske is expected to remain with the big-league club until Aug. 13 when they tentatively are scheduled to activate starter Tom Candiotti. Candiotti, who has pitched only 4 2/3 innings since July 6, will make one start on a rehabilitative assignment before he’s activated.

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The Dodgers, who say it’s difficult to rely on the return of third baseman Mike Blowers, who underwent season-ending knee surgery Friday, most likely will have to wait at least three years until their top third base prospect, Adrian Beltre of Class-A San Bernardino, is ready. “He’s a kid who really has jumped out this year, he’s going to be a tremendous player,” said Glenn Gregson, pitching coordinator of the farm system. I was at a game in Fayetteville [Ark.] when he made about four major-league plays.” Beltre has hit 22 homers with 81 runs batted in this season.