Schmoll Benefited From Side Project

Steve Schmoll’s career plans dramatically changed the day his arm slot did the same. He was a fifth-year senior at Maryland, a top premed student and an average pitcher, when he began throwing sidearm.

Within months he became a pro prospect, shelved his dream of becoming a doctor and signed with the Dodgers for $70,000 in May 2003. Less than two years later, he notched his first major league victory and first save on successive nights.

The victory wasn’t a masterpiece -- in one inning Friday he walked two and gave up a three-run home run to Troy Glaus -- but the Dodgers came back to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks.

And on Saturday night he preserved a 12-10 win by getting Jose Cruz Jr. to hit into a double play in the 11th inning.

Most remarkable was that the rookie was summoned in key situations two games in a row. It was the equivalent of a medical school intern being asked to perform emergency room surgery.

The Dodgers do not plan to put another rookie pitcher, D.J. Houlton, in a pressure situation early on. He made his debut Saturday night with the Dodgers trailing by three runs in the fifth inning.

Schmoll, however, is considered ready for prime time despite his inexperience. He split last season between Class-A Vero Beach and double-A Jacksonville, compiling 12 saves and a 1.81 earned-run average.

“Because of the progress he’s made, he was put on the club to be given significant opportunities to perform,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “How he does will determine whether he needs additional seasoning.”

“I want to be in the big leagues, and I want the ball in big situations,” said Schmoll, 25, who made the team because Eric Gagne and Wilson Alvarez went on the disabled list. “That’s what any pitcher wants.”

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Many batboys dream of one day becoming major leaguers. Alex Ortiz dreamed of calling major leaguers out on strikes.

“I’d hang out in the umpires’ room and talk to them after the game,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz, a Dodger clubhouse assistant and former batboy, will begin his professional umpiring career after finishing at the top of the class at the Harry Wendelstedt school in January. He will be assigned to a rookie league in the next few weeks.

Ortiz, 22, was sponsored by major league umpires Alfonso Marquez and Ted Barrett