Dodgers may be interested in Jarrod Washburn

Jarrod Washburn is friends with Jeff Weaver and in a fantasy football league with Doug Mientkiewicz.

The possibility of Washburn joining his pals in Dodger blue appears very real.

The Dodgers are interested in the Seattle Mariners starter, a durable left-hander who could bolster an injury-plagued rotation. Washburn has pitched at least six innings in 12 of his 14 starts this season. He also likes Dodger Stadium.

"It's a great park and there's always a big crowd and the team's winning, so that would be good," Washburn said Friday before the Mariners played the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Complicating the efforts of the Dodgers -- or any team -- hoping to acquire Washburn is the fact that the Mariners began play Friday only two games out of first place in the American League West. Does Washburn think that playing for a contender makes him less likely to get traded?

"I don't think about it at all one way or the other," said the former Angel, who is 4-5 with a 3.22 earned-run average. "I've had so many things happen either personally or that I've seen in baseball that just surprise you that they happen.

"Guys get traded or not traded or whatever. Nothing would surprise me either way. The only thing I can control is what I do every five days, and that's all I'm worried about."

Minor move for Manny

Manny Ramirez's road back to Dodger Stadium takes a somewhat unconventional turn today: from triple-A Albuquerque to Class-A Inland Empire. It should be an easy transition, with one possible exception.

"If the guys are wild, then that's an issue," Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said, alluding to the fact that command can be an issue for pitchers in the lower rungs of the minor leagues.

Ramirez, who went 0 for 3 with a walk in two games with the Isotopes, is scheduled to play in four games with the 66ers. Ramirez returned to Dodger Stadium on Friday for a morning workout, Torre said.

What about Juan?

Torre said that Juan Pierre, who has filled in admirably in Ramirez's absence, would play a day or two a week in center field upon Ramirez's return July 3 from a 50-game drug suspension.

Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier will alternate as the right fielder on the days Pierre starts, giving the other player the day off.

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