GM Search Goes Coast to Coast

The general manager search continued at Chavez Ravine and Atlanta.

Cincinnati General Manager Jim Bowden was scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on Friday for meetings with President Bob Graziano and other club officials, including former owner Peter O’Malley.

In Atlanta, interim General Manager Tom Lasorda spoke informally with Dean Taylor, the Braves’ assistant general manager. As reported previously, Taylor interviewed with Graziano, O’Malley and other officials Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers have received permission to speak with General Manager Dave Dombrowski of the Florida Marlins.

Lasorda has been visible throughout the early stages of the process, speaking with Dombrowski and Taylor on behalf of the organization and updating reporters while accompanying the team on the trip. Lasorda and others will have significant input in selecting the new general manager, but Graziano is handling the official interviews and overseeing the search.

“I’m seeking advice from many people as I’ve always done,� Graziano said. “I want wide range of opinions about the candidates and their strengths, and I’m very fortunate to be able to call on Peter and Tommy.

“I’m going to make the final decision, but this is a team effort. I feel very strongly about that, because it’s important we get the right person in place and move forward.�

Rebuilding the minor league system will be the chief responsibility of the new player-personnel boss.

With few exceptions, top club officials acknowledge that the organization’s performance in the free-agent amateur draft has been abysmal since the late 1980s. Charlie Blaney, vice president of minor league operations, is among those who disagree.

Blaney points to, among other things, the Dodgers’ streak of five consecutive National League rookies of the year as evidence of his department’s success.

But only three of those players were selected in the draft, and outfielder Todd Hollandsworth was the lone member of that group selected with the Dodgers’ top pick the season he was drafted.

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Ismael Valdes pitched three scoreless innings in his rehabilitation start for Class-A Vero Beach on Saturday.

Valdes faced 11 batters against the Port St. Lucie Mets, giving up two hits. He struck out three with one walk while throwing 44 pitches.

Valdes has been out the last 24 games because of strained stomach muscles. He is expected to be activated next week.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ CARLOS PEREZ (7-12, 3.82 ERA) vs. BRAVES’ GREG MADDUX (16-6, 1.65 ERA)

Turner Field, 5 p.m.

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

* Update--Maddux earned the victory as the Braves defeated the Dodgers, 7-0, on May 6 at Turner Field. The four-time Cy Young Award winner pitched seven innings, giving up five hits without a walk. In 19 career starts against the Dodgers, Maddux is 8-3 with a 2.24 ERA.