Front Office Safe, for Now

Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Group insisted Monday that it has not made any personnel decisions regarding the Dodger front office, should its proposed purchase of the team for more than $350 million be successful.

“It is extremely premature to speculate on the status of any operational, let alone personnel, decisions,” Fox announced in a public statement. “Fred Claire, as well as other members of the Dodger family, have built one of the most successful and respected organizations in the history of professional sports. Claire’s record speaks for itself.”

A story in Newsday on Monday, citing a baseball source, indicated Fox planned significant changes, including the possible ouster of Claire, executive vice president.

“Pending a successful sales process, the Fox group would certainly welcome Claire’s vast experience and class to the Fox family, as well as that of the rest of the Dodgers’ front office,” the statement continued.

Under Claire, the Dodgers have won an unprecedented five consecutive rookie-of-the-year awards. They could become the first Dodger team in history to reach the playoffs three consecutive years.

He’ll let his credentials and reputation speak for itself.

“I’m going to do my job to the best of my ability, each day as long as I have it,” said Claire, who has no contract past this season. “That’s the only thing I keep my focus on.

“Any time you have a sale, you understand that anything is possible.

“Do the job, win ballgames, and hope there’s not many frustrating days like today.”

*

Dodger outfielders Todd Hollandsworth and Eric Anthony, both high school football stars, collided in left-center chasing a high one-hopper hit in the sixth inning by Rondell White.

The two crashed to the turf, and while Anthony got up and threw the ball back in, Hollandsworth stayed on the ground for several minutes. He left the game an inning later because of a bruised left knee. Hollandsworth is expected to miss today’s game against the Padres and return Wednesday.

“It was just a case where we were both going hard after the ball,” said Anthony, who was playing left field. “Really, it was my fault because he has rule over everything that goes on out there.

“I’m just glad he’s not hurt seriously. Hopefully, we won’t lose him more than a day.”

*

The Dodgers are acknowledging that center fielder Roger Cedeno is making it difficult to keep him in the minors much longer. Cedeno is batting .371 with a .472 on-base percentage at triple-A Albuquerque .

“It’s something we’re looking at strongly,” Russell said. “We’ve got good reports on him. These are the kind of guys you want.

“Cedeno is a legitimate center fielder, and that’s a position he could fill when we’re ready. We could definitely use the speed.”

The Dodgers also are keeping a close watch on left fielder Karim Garcia, who drove in six runs Sunday night. Garcia is batting .294 with 14 homers and 37 runs batted in, and could be called up to play left field.

*

Kay Amalfitano, the wife of Dodger third base coach Joe Amalfitano, is expected to be transferred to Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood this afternoon or Wednesday. She suffered three broken ribs and a fractured heel and ankle in a car accident Friday at Chicago. . . . Reliever Darren Dreifort, on the disabled list because of elbow tendinitis, is expected to pitch off the mound late this week. . . . Center fielder Brett Butler, who has torn cartilage in his left shoulder, is expected to test his shoulder for the first time Wednesday or Thursday since being put on the disabled list May 7. He is expected to be out a minimum of two more weeks, perhaps the rest of the season.

ON DECK

* Opponent--San Diego Padres, three games.

* Site--Qual Com Stadium.

* Tonight--7.

* TV--Channel 5, tonight; Fox West Sports 2, Wednesday.

* Radio--KABC (790), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 23-18, Padres 16-25.

* Record vs. Padres--5-8.

TONIGHT’S GAME

DODGERS’ ISMAEL VALDES (2-4, 2.12 ERA) vs. Padres’ STERLING HITCHCOCK (3-4, 4.19 ERA)

* Update--The Dodgers, needing to win only one of their final three games last season, instead were swept by the Padres and lost the National League West title by one game. It was the Padres’ first division championship since 1984. Fortunately for the Dodgers, this year’s Padres are the most disappointing team in baseball, having lost 20 of their last 28 games. This is the furthest behind the Padres have been in the division race since they finished the 1994 season 12 1/2 games out of first place. They never trailed by more than 2 1/2 games last season. They have won only three series all season--two against the hapless Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies. Tony Gwynn, who never has hit more than 14 homers in a year and had only three last season, is leading the team with eight. Gwynn, a future Hall of Famer, already has eight three-hit games this season. He leads the Padres in every offensive statistic but doubles. The Padres might wish they could take back the three-year, $15-million contract they gave left fielder Greg Vaughn. Vaughn, bothered by calf strain, is hitting only .179 with 32 strikeouts in 117 at-bats. The Padres have been trying to unload him all season and have talked to the Toronto Blue Jays about trading him for Shawn Green and pitching help. Their pitching has been a mess. The latest trouble is with Andy Ashby, who now has elbow problems just after signing a three-year, $15-million contract. Padre starter Tim Worrell is coming off a week in which he broke his left hand punching a wall, was ejected after two innings in Montreal, and lasted only two innings in his last start against the Chicago Cubs.

* Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (2-2, 2.63 ERA) vs. Tim Worrell (2-5, 5.53 ERA).

* Thursday, 2 p.m.--Hideo Nomo (5-2, 2.88 ERA) vs. Joey Hamilton (2-1, 4.08 ERA).