Wallach May Be Ready Soon

It is no secret the Dodgers are looking for a steady third baseman.

It is a poorly kept secret that they have at least explored the possibility of going after the Philadelphia Phillies’ Todd Zeile, who cleared waivers Tuesday. Other names that have surfaced are the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jeff King and the Florida Marlins’ Terry Pendleton.

But Tim Wallach has joined the club on this trip while undergoing rehabilitation for a broken rib on his left side.

After throwing before Tuesday night’s game, Wallach said he may be only a week away from being fit for action.

Wallach, who was waived by the Angels last month and signed to play for the Dodgers’ San Bernardino Stampede in the California League, was hurt when he was hit by the knee of a sliding runner.

If he does not experience any further pain, the Dodgers will send Wallach back to the minors for a couple of days to give him work under game conditions. Then, unless the club decides to part with some of its young pitching in a bid for somebody like Zeile, look for the Dodgers to make a spot on the roster for Wallach.

All that could happen by the time the team returns home Aug. 16.

“I want to play,” Wallach said. “I’ve done enough sitting.”

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The Pirates were missing right fielder Orlando Merced (strained right calf) and second baseman Carlos Garcia (strained right hamstring). With that pair in the starting lineup, Pittsburgh is 32-30. With one or both out, the Pirates are 18-33.