Mussina, Larkin Targeted?

Trying to make a major move before the trading deadline, the Dodgers increased their efforts Wednesday to acquire Baltimore Oriole pitcher Mike Mussina or Cincinnati Red shortstop Barry Larkin, baseball sources said.

The Dodgers are now willing to include promising rookie pitcher Eric Gagne in packages for the all-star players. Struggling right-hander Darren Dreifort also is available, but Gagne has more value because Dreifort can become a free agent after the season.

General Manager Kevin Malone declined to comment on trade talks, but the Dodgers told officials from the Orioles and Reds that Gagne is available in the right deal.

Mussina is 6-7 with a 3.68 earned-run average. The right-hander is making $6.825 million in the final year of his contract, and is eligible for free agency. Mussina has a no-trade clause in his contract.

Larkin is batting .316 with eight home runs and 28 runs batted in. The 14-year veteran has been an outstanding top-of-the-lineup batter.

Larkin--the 1995 National League most valuable player--is making $5.3 million in the final year of his deal. He also can become a free agent after this season.

Gagne had been considered untouchable, but that changed after Wednesday’s big pitching trades.

The New York Yankees acquired left-hander Denny Neagle from the Reds, and the Atlanta Braves got right-hander Andy Ashby from the Philadelphia Phillies. Neagle and Ashby were the top pitchers on the Dodgers’ list because they thought they could acquire either without moving Gagne. Now they are resigned to moving Gagne if they want to make a significant deal before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline.

*

Las Vegas is making an 11th-hour run to persuade the Dodgers to move there for spring training.

It appeared the Dodgers planned to remain at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla. However, Las Vegas officials have increased their efforts this week.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Angels, three games.

* Site--Dodger Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Channel 9 tonight, Fox Sports Net 2 on Friday, Channel 11 on Saturday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KLAC (570), KWKW (1330), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Dodgers 44-42, Angels 47-41.

* Record vs. Angels--1-2.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

CARLOS PEREZ

(4-4, 5.05 ERA)

vs.

ANGELS’

KEN HILL

(5-5, 6.88 ERA)

* Update--The Angels took two of three in June at Edison Field. The Dodgers plan to activate reliever Jeff Shaw from the disabled list before tonight’s game. Shaw has been sidelined since June 28 because of tendinitis in his pitching elbow. The right-hander is 2-4 with an 8.00 earned-run average, and has seven blown saves in 19 opportunities. Mike Fetters has closed in Shaw’s absence and will share the job until Shaw regains form. Center fielder Devon White took batting practice for the first time since going on the disabled list May 5 because of a partially torn left rotator cuff. The Dodgers hope to activate White within the next few weeks. The Dodgers fear catcher Todd Hundley has a hairline fracture in his right thumb. Hundley, in Chicago visiting a sick relative, will be reevaluated today. Catcher Paul LoDuca has been recalled from triple-A Albuquerque. Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, who sat out the final three games before the All-Star break because of flu, was examined Wednesday by team physician Michael Mellman. The results are expected today.

* Friday, 7 p.m.--Kevin Brown (8-2, 2.38) vs. Kent Bottenfield (5-7, 5.72).

* Saturday, 1 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (9-6, 4.17) vs. Seth Etherton (3-1, 4.98).