Lima Says His Time Has Arrived

Jose Lima is finding a groove at a time when odd circumstances could leave him the odd man out of the Dodger rotation.

Minor leaguer Edwin Jackson or long reliever Brian Falkenborg is expected to make a spot start Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers in place of Wilson Alvarez, who remains bothered by a left hip strain.

But beyond Wednesday, the rotation is one big question mark.

With an off day Thursday, the Dodgers could start Kazuhisa Ishii on normal rest Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks and then turn to Hideo Nomo on Saturday, one day after Nomo (split nail on his right index finger) is eligible to come off the disabled list.

Manager Jim Tracy said Sunday that he wanted to make a decision on who would start Wednesday before determining whether Lima, who pitched eight shutout innings Saturday against Arizona, would make another start or return to the bullpen.

Lima (4-1) has not given up an earned run in 19 2/3 innings over his last six appearances, lowering his earned-run average from 7.91 to 3.92. Lima said he feels as locked in as he did during a stretch last season when he won seven consecutive starts for the Kansas City Royals.

“Now I have confidence, believing in myself and knowing that I can throw strikes and go out there and do my job,� said Lima, who put together an eight-game streak in 1999 in which he averaged eight innings and posted a 2.25 ERA with nine walks and 44 strikeouts. “I hope it doesn’t go away, because it feels pretty good right now. When I get on a roll, I go seven or eight innings every time.�

Trainer Stan Johnston said Nomo, who will throw another bullpen session today after having his nail solidified with heavy glue, should be able to return as soon as he is eligible to come off the disabled list. But Tracy said it was “very unlikely� that Nomo would pitch Friday.

“I had said once he got that fingernail back to where it needed to be, he would get a little bit of work in order for us to feel like we’ve taken all measures necessary to get him back out there and have him at 100%,� Tracy said.

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Jose Hernandez has provided a major boost by hitting .393 in 16 starts this season, including two four-hit games. The 13-year veteran, who has started primarily at second base and shortstop, said playing alongside second baseman Alex Cora, shortstop Cesar Izturis and third baseman Adrian Beltre has provided a jolt of adrenaline.

“They’re great infielders,� Hernandez said. “Last night, Alex made a great play up the middle. And Beltre, he’s got almost a broken ankle and he’s still playing like [it’s] nothing. So far I’ve enjoyed every moment.�

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