DePodesta Unlikely to Acquire a Catcher

MONTREAL —  Although Dodger catchers have hit so poorly that the lineup now includes two near-automatic outs at the bottom, General Manager Paul DePodesta said he does not intend to acquire another catcher in the six days before postseason eligibility is frozen.

“Right now, I don’t have any plans to make a significant upgrade there,” he said.

Since DePodesta traded All-Star Paul Lo Duca to the Florida Marlins July 30, Dodger catchers Brent Mayne and David Ross have combined to hit .136, with one home run and 26 strikeouts in 81 at-bats. Dodger pitchers are hitting .147 this season. The Dodgers acquired Mayne -- and outfielder Steve Finley -- from the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 31.

At the time of the trades, DePodesta said, the consensus within the organization was that the Dodgers could sacrifice some offense at catcher but could not sacrifice quality handling of the pitching staff.

He noted that the team earned-run average, which was 3.91 before the trades, is 3.38 since then.

But, since Lo Duca left, Ross is hitting .156 and Mayne .111.

“We don’t expect either of those guys to carry us offensively,” DePodesta said. “I don’t think we expect either guy to be an offensive juggernaut, but I don’t think they’ll do what they’ve done the last couple weeks.”

The Dodgers acquired triple-A catcher and former major leaguer Tom Wilson last week, providing insurance against injury to Ross or Mayne.

They can include anyone in the organization on Aug. 31 on a possible playoff roster, providing the option to add any September callups. Those players could include Wilson, pitchers Scott Stewart and Mike Venafro, and infielders Luis Garcia, Antonio Perez and Joe Thurston.

Although rules state playoff participants must be on the major league roster or disabled list on Aug. 31, an injured pitcher can be replaced by another pitcher in the organization and an injured position player by another position player. The Dodgers could submit a postseason roster with pitchers Darren Dreifort and/or Paul Shuey and/or catcher Todd Hundley, then substitute as desired.

*

With a tired bullpen and the potential need for a long reliever behind Kazuhisa Ishii on Tuesday, the Dodgers promoted right-hander Masao Kida from triple-A Las Vegas and optioned Venafro there. Kida might stay for only a few days, until the Dodgers activate Hideo Nomo.... Edwin Jackson, whom the Dodgers considered activating Tuesday before deciding that he would not be ready for long relief, will make his second rehabilitation start tonight for Las Vegas.... The Dodgers extended their affiliation with Las Vegas through 2006.... With the last names above their Olympic Stadium lockers spelled out in individual letters, the Dodgers played clubhouse anagrams, with highlights including WE RAVE for Jeff Weaver, REV TUNA for Robin Ventura, TREBLE for Adrian Beltre and NERD HAZEN for Jose Hernandez.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

*

The 40 and Over Club

Adrian Beltre became the seventh Dodger to hit at least 40 home runs in a season:

Player, Year... HR

Shawn Green, 2001...49

Gary Sheffield, 2000...43

Duke Snider, 1956...43

Duke Snider, 1953...42

Duke Snider, 1955...42

Gil Hodges, 1954...42

Shawn Green, 2002...42

Roy Campanella, 1953...41

Gil Hodges, 1951...40

Duke Snider, 1954...40

Duke Snider, 1957...40

Mike Piazza, 1997...40

Adrian Beltre, 2004...40