Guillermo

Mota

Eric Gagne, Paul Quantrill, Paul Shuey, and Mota have the Dodgers leading the majors in bullpen ERA at 1.68. Mota is turning some heads with his 97 mph fastball complimented by a slider and a developing changeup learned from Gagne. With Quantrill and Shuey more established as setup guys, Mota has to be considered the favorite for save opportunities if anything happens to Gagne.

McKeon said a couple of days ago that he’d consider a committee. Perhaps he did, just not for very long.

Mota has also been mentioned along with Perez in the Dodgers’ talks with St. Louis, but the Dodgers shouldn’t give him up unless they think they can re-sign Paul Quantrill.

Mota, who has not pitched in a game since March 8, received a cortisone injection Wednesday for biceps and triceps tendinitis in his pitching arm.

If all goes well, Mota will pitch Sunday against St. Louis.

“I threw everything, changeup, slider and fastball, and everything was fine,” Mota said. “I was a little bit out of balance, and I was trying to make the adjustments, but after that, everything was good. I’m not 100 percent yet, but if I keep doing my exercises and everything, I think I’ll get there.” Mota is expected to pitch an inning in a major league game tomorrow.

Mota will throw again Friday and could return to game action on Sunday.

Mota is considered questionable for tonight’s game.

Some believe Mota has the stuff and makeup to pitch in a major league rotation, but Tracy says, ''It would mess up our bullpen, and it infringes on the psyche of that individual because he’s awfully good where we have him.’' Mota has a 1.62 ERA and 71/17 K/BB in 77 2/3 innings of relief this year. He’s a better choice in a pinch than Scott Mullen or Masao Kida, whom the Dodgers have called up to start for them this month.

There’s been some speculation of a three-team deal in which the Dodgers would get Carlos Beltran in return for Mota and catcher Koyie Hill, with Mota going to Oakland. The A’s would sent third base prospect Mark Teahen to Kansas City. GM Paul DePodesta doesn’t seem interested, however. “We have a certain kill factor when we’re leading after the sixth inning,” DePodesta said. “I’m not looking to move pieces on the major league club right now. I’m looking to improve it.”