Ashby’s Role Is Dwindling

With each quality start -- 18 times in the first 26 games, Dodger starters have gone six innings or more and limited opponents to three or fewer earned runs -- right-hander Andy Ashby seems to grow more obsolete.

Through Monday night’s game against the Phillies, the starter-turned-long-reliever had pitched once in 15 days, his frustration mounting with the cobwebs.

“If I’m not pitching, I’m not contributing, but when I do pitch, I’m not contributing because I’m not doing what I’m supposed to do,� said Ashby, 0-3 with an 11.25 earned-run average in four appearances. “No one is as frustrated as I am.�

With Paul Shuey eligible to come off the disabled list on May 9 and left-handers Tom Martin (0.96 ERA) and Troy Brohawn (2.00 ERA) both pitching effectively, it would appear Ashby’s job might be in jeopardy.

But several team sources said Ashby, who is guaranteed $8 million this season, is too valuable as an insurance policy in case a starter gets hurt to be released.

Ashby also could have trade value this summer. In the meantime, Ashby will try to stay sharp by throwing on the side, and Manager Jim Tracy will look for spots to use the veteran right-hander.

“You have to avoid the temptation to put him in there [to get an inning or two] because you don’t know what’s going to happen the next day,� Tracy said. “The starter could take a ball off the shin in the first inning, and then you need Ashby. It’s a tough job.�

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Left fielder Brian Jordan’s flu-like symptoms worsened so much Monday that Michael Mellman, team physician, sent Jordan home before the game.

“It’s pretty bad,� Jordan said on his way out of the clubhouse. “I need some rest, but mostly I need to keep away from the guys [so they don’t get sick]. I started to feel better until that flight [from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles Sunday night]. I woke up [Monday] morning and could barely swallow. If I don’t get better overnight, I may have to go to the hospital [today].�

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Center fielder Dave Roberts sat out Monday, the third consecutive game he has missed because of a strained right hamstring. Roberts tested the leg before the game, running at about 80%, but said he doesn’t expect to start again until Wednesday night at the earliest.... Japanese interpreter Teppei Shiokawa, who suffered serious injuries in a spring training automobile accident, returned to the Dodgers on a full-time basis Monday.