Johnson Out of Hospital, May Manage Tonight

Manager Davey Johnson, hospitalized because of an irregular heart rhythm, was released Wednesday from Centinela Hospital Medical Center, and is expected to resume his duties this week.

Johnson returned home after undergoing tests for three days at the hospital’s Tommy Lasorda Heart Institute. Johnson’s wife, Susan, took him to the hospital Sunday after he experienced dizziness.

Johnson plans to return to the dugout Friday, though he might be back today. Bench coach Jim Tracy has managed in Johnson’s absence.

The Johnsons issued a statement through the club, thanking many for their support.

“Upon release from the hospital, we wanted to assure everyone that we are doing fine and looking forward to getting back into the baseball routine,” the statement read. “We also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of our family and friends, who expressed their thoughts and concerns through warming gifts, prayer, visits and phone calls.

“The overwhelming support for us, in addition to the tremendous care and attention displayed by the wonderful staff at Centinela Hospital Medical Center, have been invaluable throughout this experience.”

Derrick Hall, senior vice president, said the team is eager for Johnson to return, but only when he’s ready.

“The Dodger organization wants to make sure Davey doesn’t rush his return, and Friday is the target day,” Hall said. “However, if he comes back sooner, that only benefits the team. That would make everyone feel that much better.”

*

The Dodgers put struggling utilityman F.P. Santangelo on the 15-day disabled list because of a severely bruised left hand, and purchased the contract of infielder Chris Donnels from triple-A Albuquerque.

Santangelo was injured Saturday trying to break up a double play in the Angels’ 6-2 victory at Dodger Stadium.

Angel second baseman Adam Kennedy inadvertently stepped on Santangelo’s hand after he slid into the bag. Santangelo has been unable to clutch a bat or catch a ball because of cuts and swelling.

In 88 games with the Dukes, Donnels batted .334 with 26 home runs and 80 runs batted in. The 35-year-old first/third baseman played parts of six seasons with the New York Mets, Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox.

The hand injury is the latest of many problems for Santangelo in his first season with the Dodgers, and he’s hoping things improve soon.

“It’s been frustrating . . . It’s been a tough year all around,” Santangelo said. “I’m just hoping to come back with some fire and help the team down the stretch.”

Santangelo, who plays six positions, is batting .183 with seven runs batted in. The part-time leadoff batter has only a .309 on-base percentage in 70 games.

“I’ve been a professional through this whole thing,” Santangelo said. “I’m approaching the game the same way every day. There’s nothing to regroup from, I’m mentally strong, this is just part of the game.”

*

The rotation has been shuffled. Left-hander Carlos Perez (4-4 with a 4.97 earned-run average) will start Friday in the first game of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants after completing a five-game suspension for his role in a May 16 melee at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Right-handers Darren Dreifort and Eric Gagne will be pushed back. . . . Mike Judd was optioned to Albuquerque after starting Tuesday’s 8-6 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and reliever Al Reyes was recalled. Reyes, acquired in the trade that sent Alan Mills to the Baltimore Orioles, was 2-1 with a 4.34 ERA in 13 appearances for the Dukes. . . . Reliever Gregg Olson worked a scoreless inning in a rehabilitation assignment at Albuquerque.

Tonight

DODGERS’

CHAN HO PARK

(9-7, 4.21 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’

MASATO YOSHII

(4-10, 5.71 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 7

TV--Fox Sports Net 2

Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330)

* Update--Park struggled with his command Saturday against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. The right-hander matched his career high with seven walks, though one was intentional. Park, who hasn’t won since June 18, has two losses and two no-decisions in his last four starts. He is 3-3 with a 7.29 ERA against the Rockies. Yoshii is 1-1 with a 4.70 ERA against the Dodgers.