Houston’s Roy Oswalt isn’t in the trade mix — at least for now
The Dodgers aren’t in the mix to trade for Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt. At least not at the moment.
Among the reasons is money. The Astros are saying that any team that wants to acquire Oswalt will have to take on all of what remains on his contract, according to a baseball source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Oswalt is still owed at least $25 million — the remainder of his 2010 salary of $15 million, his 2011 salary of $16 million and a $2-million buyout on his 2012 option for $16 million.
Oswalt’s contract includes a full no-trade provision, meaning he could demand the Dodgers pick up his 2012 option in exchange for his approving a deal.
Oswalt is only 4-8 this season but has a 3.16 earned-run average.
Padilla nearing return
Opening-day starter Vicente Padilla is expected back in the Dodgers’ rotation in the next week, as he is tentatively scheduled to return from the 15-day disabled list on June 19 in Boston.
Padilla, who was put on the DL on April 25 because of nerve problems in his throwing arm, will start on Sunday for triple-A Albuquerque. The start will be the third and last of his minor league rehabilitation assignment.
Bowa to Baltimore?
The Baltimore Orioles have not asked the Dodgers permission to interview third base coach Larry Bowa for their vacant managerial position. But even if the Orioles do, they probably won’t be granted permission because the Dodgers don’t want to lose their third base coach in the middle of the season.
A former manager of the year in Philadelphia, Bowa said he is happy coaching under Manager Joe Torre.
“If someone could say, ‘You could coach with Joe as long as he’s managing,’ I’d be fine with that,” he said.
Living the dream
Growing up in Torrance, Justin Miller used to visit Dodger Stadium 10 to 15 times a year. He and his friends used to stand outside the players’ parking lot to get autographs. His favorite player was Steve Sax.
Miller is 32 and had pitched six previous seasons in the majors, but the heavily tattooed reliever said the thought of pitching for his favorite team still gives him thrills.
“For me, this is a childhood dream,” he said.
Miller, who signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers over the winter, was called up from triple A on May 27. He pitched his first game for the Dodgers two days later and made his first appearance for them at home on June 2.
In the 7 1/3 innings he pitched over five appearances for the Dodgers entering Friday, he gave up only one run and four hits. Torre trusted him enough to use him four times over one six-game stretch.
Miller’s journey to the Dodgers was a long one. He has played in Toronto, Florida and San Francisco. He even spent part of 2006 in Japan, where he and his children had trouble gaining entry to Tokyo Disneyland because of his tattoos. (Generally, only mobsters have tattoos in Japan.)
Short hops
Hiroki Kuroda, who lost both of his parents to cancer, donated $50,000 to ThinkCure, the Dodgers’ cancer-research organization. Fans can make donations to ThinkCure or bid on auction items at dodgers.com/thinkcureweekend … The Dodgers signedfifth-round draft pick Jacob Lemmerman, a shortstop from Duke. First-round pick Zach Lee remains unsigned.
Times staff writer Bill Shaikin contributed to this report.
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