Mulholland May Be Left Out

Reliever Terry Mulholland is caught in a vicious cycle. The left-hander has not pitched well enough to earn the confidence of Manager Jim Tracy, who has been reluctant to use him in anything but mop-up situations, and he has not pitched often enough to find any kind of rhythm or consistency.

At some point this summer, that cycle probably will end. The Dodgers hope to trade for a reliever, and Mulholland, despite his $3-million salary, would be released if a deal is made.

But the Dodgers might also look to triple-A Las Vegas in an effort to bolster their bullpen, with right-handers Kevin Beirne (7-2, 4.27 earned-run average) or Bryan Corey (3-1, 4.61 ERA) the most likely candidates to replace Mulholland.

Mulholland, who pitched once in the previous 13 days, relieved starter Andy Ashby in the sixth inning Saturday with the Dodgers trailing, 5-2. His second pitch to Rod Barajas was deposited over the left-field wall for a two-run homer, the decisive runs in Arizona’s 7-5 victory.

Mulholland, who has an 8.88 ERA in 17 games, never recovered from his brutal start, when he gave up 11 runs and 12 hits, including five home runs, in 4 2/3 innings of his first two games. He spent May on the disabled list because of back spasms and has been a non-factor in the bullpen since his early June return.

“Physically, I’m fine--there’s no excuse for what’s happening now,” Mulholland said. “I can’t afford to make one or two mistakes. When you only pitch once every seven or eight days, those [mistakes] tend to stick in people’s minds, especially when you’re not out there enough to give them something good to remember.”

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Hiram Bocachica’s pinch-hit two-run homer in the seventh inning Saturday couldn’t have come at a better time for the reserve outfielder. With the Dodgers close to a trade for Texas Ranger utility player Frank Catalanotto, Bocachica’s days with the Dodgers could be numbered.

The Dodgers are expected to send triple-A second baseman Joe Thurston to the Rangers for Catalanotto, who is batting .260 with two homers and 14 runs batted in but missed a month and a half because of groin and back injuries.

To clear roster room for Catalanotto, the Dodgers’ most likely move--at least, before Saturday--would have been to designate Bocachica for assignment in hopes he would clear waivers and be sent to Las Vegas.

Bocachica has only 63 at-bats--he’s hitting .222 with four homers and eight RBIs--and has started only 11 games, but his loss would leave the Dodger bench with no power from the right side on the days Marquis Grissom starts in the outfield. More hits like Saturday’s could force the Dodgers to keep Bocachica and release infielder Jeff Reboulet if a trade for bench help is consummated.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KAZUHISA ISHII

(11-5, 3.58 ERA)

vs.

DIAMONDBACKS’

MIGUEL BATISTA

(4-5, 4.85 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 5 p.m.

TV--ESPN. Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

Update--Arizona catcher Damian Miller probably will sit out a second consecutive game because of back spasms. After winning 10 of his first 12 decisions to open the season, Ishii has lost four of his last five starts. He hasn’t pitched since July 4, when he gave up three runs in six innings of a loss to St. Louis.

Tickets--(323) 224-1448.