Head of Stadium Operations Is Fired

Amid mounting criticism of the Dodgers’ winter stadium renovations, owner Frank McCourt on Thursday fired Doug Duennes, vice president of stadium operations.

Dodger spokeswoman Kelly Mullens said she could not discuss the reason for the dismissal. However, asked whether the firing was a reaction to the criticism, she said, “There’s absolutely no truth to that.”

According to the Dodgers’ media guide, Duennes “helped direct” the off-season renovation that added 1,600 premium seats. Some of those seats, which cost up to $400 per game behind home plate and up to $125 per game down the base lines, have drawn criticism from fans for poor sight lines, long and crowded rows and inadequate spacing between rows. Fans also have complained that a new advertising display board hanging from the loge level blocks views from some field-level seats.

Marty Greenspun, the Dodgers’ chief operating officer, said this week that 80 ticket holders in the new seats had asked to be relocated. Greenspun said the Dodgers would address long-term solutions after the season.

Duennes, who joined the Dodger front office in 1995, is the third top executive fired this month. McCourt previously dismissed Lon Rosen, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, and Gary Miereanu, vice president of communications.

“As a matter of policy, the Dodgers do not publicly discuss personnel matters,” Mullens said. “However, we will say Doug Duennes has made valuable contributions to the organization, and we wish him the best in all future endeavors.”

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Wilson Alvarez took what could be the final step in his recovery from shoulder tendinitis by pitching 4 2/3 innings in a rehabilitation start Thursday night for triple-A Las Vegas.

The 35-year-old left-hander gave up one hit and no runs against the Fresno Grizzlies, striking out three and walking none. He threw 43 of his 59 pitches for strikes.

The Dodgers could activate Alvarez on Sunday or Monday or ask the reliever to make another appearance with the 51s. Alvarez probably would take the roster spot of Dodger right-hander Buddy Carlyle, who has a 6.52 earned-run average in seven appearances.

ON DECK

Opponent -- Colorado Rockies, three games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

TV -- FSNW2 tonight and Sunday, Channel 13 on Saturday.

Radio -- 980, 1330.

Records -- Dodgers 13-8, Rockies 6-13.

Record vs. Rockies -- 1-2.

Tonight, 7:30 -- Odalis Perez (3-1, 4.37) vs. Jason Jennings (1-2, 4.21).

Saturday, 7 p.m. -- Brad Penny (0-0, 7.20) vs. Joe Kennedy (1-2, 8.18).

Sunday, 1 p.m. -- Derek Lowe (1-2, 2.04) vs. Shawn Chacon (1-0, 3.18).

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DODGERS TONIGHT

DODGERS’

ODALIS PEREZ

vs.

ROCKIES’

JASON JENNINGS

*--* THE MATCHUPS 2005 2005 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA Colorado/Jennings (R) 1-2 4.21 1-3 1-0 9.0 1.00 DODGERS/Perez (L) 3-1 4.37 3-1 0-1 5.0 12.60

*--*

Dodger Stadium, 7:30

TV -- FSNW2. Radio -- 980, 1330.

Update -- After winning his first three starts of a season for the first time in his career, Perez yielded 10 hits and eight runs -- seven earned -- in five innings Saturday during an 8-6 loss to Colorado. Todd Helton is batting .474 with five home runs and 12 runs batted in in 38 career at-bats against Perez. Jennings, who held the Dodgers to one run during a complete-game victory April 22 at Coors Field, was supposed to pitch against the Florida Marlins on Thursday before snow forced the postponement of a doubleheader.

-- Ben Bolch