51s roster features big names for series

Nick Christensen

Thursday, April 28, 2005 | 9:22 a.m.

Grizzlies Stadium 7:05 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2:05 p.m. Sunday Radio: all games on 1460-AM

Two familiar faces will be in the Las Vegas 51s lineup when they open an eight-game series against the Grizzlies tonight at Fresno, and a third might bring his sweat-stained cap to Las Vegas before too long.

Wilson Alvarez, who was the bane of PCL batters at the start of the 2003 season while wearing a Las Vegas uniform, will start for the 51s as he rehabilitates left shoulder tendonitis. And infielder Antonio Perez, who in 2003 became the first 20/20 player in 51s history, is recovering from a strained hamstring while on a 20-day rehabilitation assignment from the Dodgers.

Dodgers closer Eric Gagne seems to be closer to returning to the major league roster after suffering an elbow injury early in spring training, but it's unclear whether he'll pitch with Las Vegas or continue with his regimen of practice sessions. Gagne last pitched in the minor leagues in 2001, when he appeared in four games for the 51s while the Dodgers were still trying to work him as a starter.

Alvarez's career looked headed downhill when the Dodgers signed him in 2003. He'd spent the better part of three seasons in the minor leagues, slowly recovering from rotator cuff surgery.

He made eight starts with the 51s early in 2003, getting a 5-1 record with a 1.34 ERA before being called up to the Dodgers on June 7. He went 6-2 that year at the majors, and pitched in 40 games, mostly in relief, last season.

The start, on short notice to Royster, put him and pitching coach Roger McDowell in a tough spot. Already having an off day Wednesday, scheduled starter T.J. Nall last pitched last Friday. Royster was still considering his options but said Nall will likely follow Alvarez on Thursday, if only to get him in.

As for the rest of his rotation, Royster heaped praise after four excellent starts at Sacramento. In 24 innings at Raley Field, 51s starters gave up 18 hits and six earned runs.

"They're very impressive," Royster said. "That's back-to-back for those guys (Jackson and Totten). We're looking for some kind of consistency. If we can get those guys pitching consistent, then they're ready to go along with Wilson and everybody else. That's when they start looking like big-league pitchers. We want them ready to go and we want them ready in April."

Perez, like Alvarez, came to the 51s after struggling in Tampa Bay. Last year with Las Vegas, he hit .296 on the year with 22 home runs and 22 stolen bases before earning a September call up to the Dodgers.

This year, he was expected to platoon third base with Jose Valentin. But shortly into the season, Perez suffered his hamstring injury, dropping him to the disabled list.

Royster said that he's still unsure of too many specifics of Perez' rehab.

"We don't know how long he's going to be here. We don't' know the exact number, he'll be here as long as he needs to be," he said. "He's going to play a lot of third base. We want him to get some third base, but we've got to find out where he is condition-wise before."