DePodesta Has a Word for Tracy: ‘Excellent’

Paul DePodesta doesn’t repeat himself often because, well, he doesn’t say that much.

But the Dodger general manager reiterated Saturday what he said two weeks ago: Suggestions that Manager Jim Tracy is in danger of getting fired have no merit.

“That is pure speculation with no grounds to it whatsoever,” he said. “Tracy has done an excellent job, given the injuries he has faced.

“Not just Tracy, but the whole staff. I think they’ve done a very good job. There’s been a lot of adversity. The fact that we haven’t dug a big hole is a tribute to the staff and the way Trace has been able to utilize the pieces available to him.”

Tracy is in the first year of a two-year contract that pays him about $750,000 this season and about $1.1 million next year. The Dodgers posted a winning record in each of his four seasons.

DePodesta said he does little second-guessing of Tracy’s moves -- even the ones that run counter to his “Moneyball” philosophy, such as asking J.D. Drew to lay down a sacrifice bunt.

“I gave Tracy a two-year deal,” DePodesta said. “I don’t think [his job security] is worth talking about.”

*

Odalis Perez, on the disabled list because of shoulder pain, put off throwing a bullpen session for the second day in a row because he bruised his right knee when hit by a thrown ball Friday. He said the pain kept him from sleeping that night.

Perez threw long-toss and said his arm felt good. He plans to use all his pitches during the bullpen session today and could be ready for a minor league rehabilitation assignment later in the week.

*

Elmer Dessens (shoulder) made 29 pitches in one inning at triple-A Las Vegas and is scheduled to throw 45 pitches in a game Tuesday.... Outfielder Jason Grabowski (shoulder) is batting .379 with five doubles in 29 at-bats at Las Vegas. He has nine days remaining in his rehab assignment.... Infielder Norihiro Nakamura has 10 home runs in 22 games since being demoted to Las Vegas.... The Vero Beach, Fla., Dodgers’ Hall of Fame Park will open today at Dodgertown. Included among the inaugural inductees is Stan Wasiak, who posted 2,561 victories, the most of any minor league manager.