Valdes Knows What Story Is Today

By JASON REID

May 31, 1998 12 AM PT

Your turn, Ismael Valdes.

Pitcher Hideo Nomo bombed Saturday in his audition to be part of the package to acquire Randy Johnson, pitching poorly in a 7-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

The Mariner scout in town to check out Nomo will now review Valdes’ performance today against the Reds, and report to his superiors in Seattle. His showing is expected to play a key role in the teams’ efforts to consummate a deal for the 1995 Cy Young Award-winning left-hander.

So by doing a good job today, Valdes may well end his career with the Dodgers. It’s not a situation he enjoys, but that’s baseball.

“It’s not easy, but there’s really nothing I can do about this,” he said after Saturday’s game.

“I know what’s going on, everyone knows what’s happening, but all I can do is work hard on the field and do my job. I know what could happen [after today], but I can’t worry about that. It’s something I have to forget about when I’m pitching.”

Valdes said he isn’t troubled by the situation, because his name is often mentioned in trade speculation. However, he acknowledged that there is more substance this time.

“I’ve been hearing this so much, I don’t think about it anymore,” he said. “It’s been a long time that I’ve been through this, and you just learn it’s part of baseball.

“It would be easier if you didn’t have to [comment], but that’s part of it. Everyone is talking about it.”

Before this season, Valdes had been considered among the Dodgers’ untouchable players. But as the recent events with Mike Piazza have proved, no one is untouchable in the New Dodger Order.

Valdes has been inconsistent to this point, going 4-6 with a 5.48 earned-run average. He was 10-11 last season, but he was fourth in the league with a 2.65 ERA. In 1996, Valdes went 15-7 with a 3.32 ERA.

“This is my organization, and every player wants to stay with one organization for his whole career,” he said. “This is where I started, and I don’t want to leave where I started.

“But whatever is going to happen is going to happen. They’re either going to trade me, or they’re not. We’ll just have to see.”

One way or another, Valdes will soon know.

Eric Weaver made his major league debut in relief of Nomo and went 3 1/3 innings, giving up three hits and one run, a homer by Dmitri Young.

ON DECK

DODGERS’

ISMAEL VALDES

(4-6, 5.48 ERA)

vs.

REDS’

MIKE REMLINGER

(3-6, 4.06 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 1 p.m.

Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Valdes had the worst outing of his career Tuesday in a 13-2 loss to the Houston Astros. He gave up 10 runs (nine earned) in only 4 2/3 innings, including seven in the Astros’ eight-run fifth inning.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

New in Blue

How the key players involved in the Dodger-Marlin trade on May 15 are faring:

GARY SHEFFIELD

* With Dodgers: 20 for 48, .417 average, 2 home runs, 10 RBIs.

* With Marlins: 27 for 136, .272, 6 home runs, 28 RBIs.

BOBBY BONILLA

* With Dodgers: 14 for 58, .241, 1 home run, 7 RBIs.

* With Marlins: 27 for 97, .278, 4 home runs, 17 RBIs.

CHARLES JOHNSON

* With Dodgers: 4 for 45, .089, 2 home run, 3 RBIs.

* With Marlins: 25 for 113, .221, 7 home runs, 24 RBIs.