Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer
SAN FRANCISCO - Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said Fred McGriff's at-bats weren't very good, so the best thing to do was give his first baseman a few days off to clear his mind.
McGriff, who isn't expected to play again until Tuesday against San Diego, didn't appear enthralled about getting time off to locate the swing that accounted for 480 career homers.
``I think as a team we're not swinging the bat well,'' McGriff said. ``You want to give the whole team some time to think about it?''
As a whole, the Dodgers are batting .223, with McGriff's .146 average lowest among the starters. He also has nine strikeouts in 41 at-bats and after starting the season as the clean-up hitter, he was dropped to sixth in Friday's loss.
``He needs a couple of days off and that's what I'm going to do,'' Tracy said. ``It's to pull him away from the action and let him sort things out.''
Even before rain forced the postponement of Saturday's game against San Francisco at Pac Bell Park, McGriff wasn't going to play.
Daryle Ward was in at first base, and Tracy said McGriff wouldn't play today. With Monday's scheduled day off, McGriff has three days to find his stroke.
``He's not having good at-bats right now,'' Tracy said. ``But normally when a guy of his stature and that good a hitter is not swinging the bat well, they're normally not very good at-bats because they're not hard outs. And good hitters, when they're not hitting, they are hitting. They're just making hard outs. He's not making hard outs.''
Tracy said the respite would give McGriff time to work in the batting cage and clear some mental issues that are plaguing him at the plate. The two spoke about the situation, but McGriff didn't appear enthusiastic about not being in the lineup.
``We talked earlier,'' said McGriff, who was asked whether he told Tracy he wanted to be in the lineup. ``I ain't the manager.''
The slow start is nothing new to McGriff. He batted .205 with a homer and 10 RBI in the opening month last season but finished with 30 homers and 103 RBI.
In fact, McGriff has fewer hits, homers and RBI in the first month of each season than any other month.
``I've said all the time, go out there and play, make adjustments,'' McGriff said. ``That's how you play.''
--Perez might miss turn: X-rays on the right ankle of Dodgers pitcher Odalis Perez were negative, trainer Stan Johnston said, but the left-hander said he might miss his Thursday start because pain remains. He hurt the ankle running the bases in Friday's loss.
``It all depends on how (Sunday) goes,'' said Perez, who had the ankle heavily taped and limped around the clubhouse. ``It's the day when I have to throw on the side. If I don't throw on the side (Sunday), I won't make it.''
The Dodgers are calling the injury a sprained ankle. Perez, who is putting ice and getting treatment on the back of his ankle, said there is limited swelling.
``They say it's weird,'' Perez said. ``When you have a broken ankle or when you have a dislocated ankle or something, it looks different. I just kept playing.''
Tracy said if Perez cannot pitch Thursday against San Diego, right-hander Darren Dreifort would get the start.
--Rain drops: Saturday's rainout was rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader Sept. 27 at Pac Bell Park, and it also caused the Dodgers to shuffle their pitching rotation.
Right-hander Kevin Brown was pushed back a day and will pitch today's series finale. With Monday being an off-day, right-hander Hideo Nomo pitches Tuesday and left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii throws Wednesday. Perez tentatively is slated for Thursday and Brown will open the three-game series Friday at Dodger Stadium against the Giants. Dreifort would pitch Saturday.
--Odds and ends: Dave Checketts withdrew his bid to purchase the Dodgers because, as expected, News Corp. wouldn't part with a cable television station as part of the deal. Checketts is focusing on purchasing several Atlanta sports teams and a cable station from AOL. ... Outfielder Chad Hermansen (shoulder) said he will begin a rehabilitation stint April 21 with Single-A Vero Beach, Fla. He can remain on rehab for 20 days.
CAPTION(S):
photo, box
Photo:
Giants fans take cover during a rain delay at Pac Bell Park that later postponed the game against the Dodgers.
Ben Margot/Associated Press
Box:
DODGERS vs. SAN FRANCISCO
- Brian Dohn
