Penny Won’t Hold Grudges

PHOENIX —  Sitting on a couch in the clubhouse, catcher Toby Hall pointed something out to pitcher Brad Penny that had nothing to do with preparing for hitters or tinkering with mechanics.

He flipped to a letter to the editor that compared Penny’s tantrums to those of former Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley.

Penny took note.

He has spent time since his most recent blowup Wednesday reflecting on his temper. He is aware that developing a reputation as a hothead is not in his best interest.

Especially when it comes to getting a fair shake from umpires.

“I’ve just got to stay calm and pitch well, especially at this point in the season,” Penny said. “Every game counts.

“You have to have a short memory to succeed in baseball. I don’t hold grudges against any umpire and I hope that is true of them. Some umps are great people.”

As for Ted Barrett, the second base umpire who ushered an enraged Penny off the field after his ejection Wednesday in San Diego, there are no hard feelings from Penny.

“Barrett was great,” he said. “He always gives you a fair shake.”

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Giovanni Carrara’s third tour with the Dodgers is over, but it might not be his last. The 38-year-old reliever, signed by the Dodgers in June and promoted July 4, was designated for assignment and replaced by left-hander Tim Hamulack.

General Manager Ned Colletti said Carrara probably would rejoin the Dodgers when rosters expand Friday if he isn’t traded or claimed. The right-hander was marginally effective, posting a 5.04 earned-run average in 25 innings.

Carrara first joined the Dodgers in 2001 and gave them two excellent seasons of middle relief before going to the Seattle Mariners in 2003. He came back to the Dodgers in 2004 and pitched well for two more seasons. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates during the off-season but didn’t make the team.

Hamulack made the Dodgers’ roster out of spring training but struggled with his control, going 0-2 with a 6.57 ERA with 15 walks in 24 2/3 innings. He improved at triple-A Las Vegas, posting a 1.42 ERA in 38 innings with 44 strikeouts, but still had control problems, walking 26.

Little said Hamulack was promoted instead of left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo because the Dodgers want Kuo to remain in the starting rotation until the triple-A season ends next week. Kuo is expected to be promoted Friday.

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The Dodgers are last in the National League and 29th in the majors with 109 home runs, but they have more triples than any other team in baseball, 44. Kenny Lofton leads the team with nine, Andre Ethier has seven and Rafael Furcal has six.

Although they have more than doubled last season’s total of 21 triples, they won’t reach their Los Angeles franchise record of 67, set in 1970.