Park All but Named as Fifth Starter

The Dodgers have made no announcement, but the front office and coaching staff have privately decided that Chan Ho Park will be their fifth starter, knuckleballer Tom Candiotti will be in the bullpen and Darren Hall will be sent to the minors.

“To think I know how to prepare myself for that role is wrong,� Candiotti said Thursday. “It’s not to say I couldn’t do it, but it would be foreign to me. I want to focus on what I have to do to get ready--ready as a starting pitcher.�

The Dodgers, still trying to trade Candiotti, plan to use a fifth starter only once in April. Candiotti, who will earn $3 million this season, will provide insurance in case of an injury to one of their starters or if Park struggles.

Hall has pitched well enough to make the team and is fully recovered from elbow surgery, but there is no room for him with Candiotti and Park on the staff.

“I didn’t work this hard to come back [from surgery] to go back to Albuquerque,� Hall said. “Who wouldn’t be teed off? I think anyone would be mad if they’re in my situation.

“The Dodgers have been fair to me and have helped me back from elbow surgery. But if I’m throwing good and I’m healthy, and somebody else wants me, why not give me up?�

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The Dodgers, ignited by the top of the order, are batting .359 over the last six games. The top of the order--Brett Butler, Wilton Guerrero and Raul Mondesi--combined for six hits and three runs in the Dodgers’ 8-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday at Kissimmee, Fla., their seventh victory in a row.

“The top of the order is giving our offense a whole new dimension,� catcher Mike Piazza said. “We don’t have to live and die with the long ball.�

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The Dodgers are leaning toward keeping veteran Nelson Liriano on the roster over Chad Fonville. . . . Right fielder Raul Mondesi hit his 11th double of the spring, four more than any other player.