Slumping Bonilla on Disabled List

Struggling third baseman Bobby Bonilla was put on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, retroactive to Wednesday.

He was hospitalized because of an intestinal infection during the Dodgers’ 4-3, 10-inning victory Friday night over the Colorado Rockies.

Bonilla, who is also suffering from dehydration, will continue to undergo tests and remain hospitalized in Denver while the team returns to Los Angeles after today’s game. Charlie Strasser, team trainer, also will remain in Denver to accompany Bonilla when he’s well enough to travel.

“It’s just another thing we have to deal with,” Manager Bill Russell said. “We’ve had a lot to handle, but you just have to keep staying focused and do your job.”

Bonilla has batted .173 (17 for 98) with one home run and nine RBIs in 27 games with the Dodgers since being acquired May 15 from the Florida Marlins. A switch hitter, Bonilla is batting .100 right-handed (one for 10) and .182 (16 for 88) left-handed.

He wasn’t in the starting lineup during the pivotal two-game series against the San Diego Padres, and was benched for the first two games against the Rockies. Overall, Bonilla is batting .226 (44 for 195) with five homers and 24 RBIs in 55 games.

“Bobby Bo was struggling, but he’s a big part of this team,” Russell said. “All we can do now is work with who we have.”

To replace Bonilla on the 25-man roster, the Dodgers recalled left-handed pitcher Will Brunson from triple-A Albuquerque.

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Raul Mondesi continues to dazzle in center field.

The two-time Gold Glove award winner in right field made his second spectacular play in center on the trip, robbing Vinny Castilla of a home run in the first inning.

After running from left-center to right-center, Mondesi leaped at the wall and denied Castilla what would have been his 23rd home run. Mondesi robbed Tony Gwynn of at least a double Wednesday with a running, over-the-shoulder catch in the third inning of the Padres’ 3-2, 12-inning victory.

“Those were pretty good catches,” said Mondesi, who sprained his left ankle while making the play in San Diego. “I don’t what my best catch is--I’ve made a lot of catches.”

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Team officials admitted their mistake by bringing back outfielder/infielder Matt Luke, who was claimed from waivers by the Cleveland Indians after the Dodgers designated him for assignment May 29.

The Dodgers purchased his contract Friday after the Indians designated him for assignment Monday. Pinch-hitting for reliever Jim Bruske in the seventh inning Saturday, Luke singled to center and scored on Eric Karros’ two-out, three-run double.

“It’s great to be back,” Luke said. “My loyalty is to the Dodgers, and this is where my comfort level is. I feel like I’m part of this team.”

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Second baseman Eric Young sat out his fourth consecutive game because of a right quadriceps strain.

TODAY

DODGERS’ CHAN HO PARK (5-4, 4.63 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’ BOBBY JONES (1-2, 5.55 ERA)

Coors Field, Noon PDT

TV--Channel 5. Radio--AM 1150.

* Update--This is the final game of the four-game series and the Dodgers’ six-game trip against National League West opponents. They would even their record on the trip with a victory today. Ramon Martinez will be sidelined the remainder of the season if he decides to undergo shoulder surgery, which means Park would be the new staff ace. Park struggled in his most recent start Tuesday in a 10-6 loss to the San Diego Padres. He gave up six runs--five earned--in six innings despite what pitching coach Glenn Gregson described as “his best stuff I’ve seen him throw maybe the entire season.” Jones, who joined the Rockies’ starting rotation May 24, is making his first career appearance against the Dodgers.