Wednesday, June 25, 2003 | 9:37 a.m.
LOS ANGELES -- Sometimes, to get back on top, you have to start at the bottom.
Just ask Wilson Alvarez, who after 11 major-league seasons, started 2003 with the Las Vegas 51s. After going 5-1 with a 1.34 ERA in Triple-A, Alvarez got the call to join the Los Angeles Dodgers June 7 following Darren Dreifort's season-ending knee surgery.
"I said this earlier when he first joined us, he had to display a level of patience in order for the opportunity and the situation to create itself," said Dodgers manager Jim Tracy. "But once it did, to come up back here to the big leagues after having to done what he did in Las Vegas -- and let's face it, it's a very hitter-friendly league -- but to be 5-1 with an ERA of under two, and post those kind of statistics, the guy's consistently throwing the ball around 90 mph and hitting his spots."
"In Triple-A, I was locating the ball well," said Alvarez. "That's what I'm trying to do here. I'm trying to have the same mentality. The catcher calls the pitch, I try to hit the spot there, and if I do it, I get the chance to get somebody out."
Now, Alvarez is competing for a starting spot in the Dodgers' daunting rotation. He has pitched 11 innings in three games so far for L.A., all behind Andy Ashby, who has struggled this year but improved recently.
Alvarez's ERA has taken a hit since being called up -- it's up to 1.54 -- but in that stretch, Ashby's ERA is more than double that with only two more innings pitched.
Ashby is not scheduled to start again until July 5, at Arizona, although the Dodgers have conceded that he could get an earlier opportunity. In any case, manager Jim Tracy said both Ashby and Alvarez will be available as relievers in the Dodgers' four-man rotation.
"If we need two situational left-hand appearances, in order to get the ball to Eric Gagne and get the job done, Wilson Alvarez could easily enter into that mix in between the times he's waiting to back up Andy Ashby," said Tracy.
Last season, Alvarez was continuing his rehabilitation from his 1999 shoulder injury, and didn't make it off the disabled list until June 10. His first start back in the majors since 1999 was against the Dodgers, to whom he allowed eight hits and eight runs.
"This isn't even the same guy," said Tracy. "The improvement he has made, and the progress he has made from a rehabilitative standpoint, it's like looking at two different guys, that's how much he has improved with the rehabilitation that has taken place with his elbow and shoulder."
Ashby had similar compliments for Alvarez.
"You look at what Wilson's done since he's been here. He's been phenomenal," said Ashby, who is two years older than Alvarez but has also played 11 seasons. "He fits right in, and it's a situation I was in earlier. It's a tough situation to be in, but you have to tip your hat to him. He stays sharp, he's doing what he has to do, and when he comes in, he's throwing the ball great."
Alvarez said he's pleased with the combination he's being used in, especially considering the depth of the rest of the rotation. Dodgers starters this year have a combined major-league low 3.21 ERA.
"Ashby's doing the job well, the last couple starts, getting the wins, getting the job done. I wish we could just keep doing it for the year."
Ashby says that for his part, it doesn't matter to him who follows him in the game.
"When I start the game, I don't think about coming out until they take me out," said Ashby. "As a starter, you want to start the game and finish the game."
On that same front, Alvarez says that his concern isn't when he's pitching, it's that he is pitching.
"I'll do whatever they want me to do. They want me to start? Give me the ball. They want a short reliever? Give me the ball. It doesn't matter to me. I just want to be on this team. I really believe this team is going to win."
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