Alvarez's season has been delayed since mid-March by shoulder tendinitis, but after making an impressive rehabilitation start for Triple-A Las Vegas Thursday night, he said he doesn't need another.

His injury, in part, opened spots on the 25-man roster for a non-roster pitcher like Buddy Carlyle, who could be the one going down to make room for Alvarez.

Carlyle has a 7.20 ERA in his eight appearances, but he didn't get any break Friday night when he allowed an RBI single by Todd Greene that struck the third-base bag.

"It's just frustrating," he said. "It's a humbling game. I'm throwing the ball right, I'm pounding the strike zone. I got back to the big leagues (after four years in the Minor Leagues and Japan) and I want to stay. It's not a matter of feeling pressure. I feel good about the way I'm throwing, I'd just like to see better results."

Appeal planned: Closer Eric Gagne said he has not talked to agent Scott Boras yet, but that he plans to appeal the two-game suspension he received Friday. The Commissioner's Office suspended Gagne for being in the dugout in violation of a previous punishment issued following Gagne's ejection from an April 6 game for arguing from the dugout. Because disabled players are not allowed to "bench jockey," Gagne was banned from the dugout for the remainder of his time on the disabled list.

The Dodgers never received notice of that ruling. Manager Jim Tracy said he left a message Saturday for Bob Watson, the sport's disciplinarian. Gagne said he never received notice of the ruling either.

"It's harsh," said Gagne. "And I know I never got that other letter."

Meanwhile, Gagne will throw another bullpen session Monday and might face hitters later in the week before going on a Minor League rehabilitation assignment as he recovers from a sprained elbow and knee.

"We want to see him pitch competitively before he's activated," said Tracy.

Tracy on steroids: Responding to Commissioner Bud Selig's proposal for stiff suspensions for steroid users, Tracy said:

"Obviously, they are making an attempt to rid the game of steroids, period. What they are talking about -- 50 days for the first offense, 100 days for the second offense, a lifetime bad for the third offense -- that's fairly stout. The suggestion is, we want any type of steroid use out of the game. If you polled players, staff, managers, it's not fair to the other players if somebody's cheating. If that passed, it would make you think about it."

Injury update: Jayson Werth, who suffered a broken wrist when struck by a pitch in the first exhibition game of the season, was struck in the back by a pitch during an extended spring training game in Viera, Fla., but apparently escaped unscathed.

Sing it: Reliever Kelly Wunsch usually tries to avoid hits, but he's hoping he recorded one on "Oh Say Can You Sing," a CD featuring songs performed by 10 current Major League players and Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.

Wunsch did vocals and lead guitar on a cover of John Mellencamp's "Hurt So Good." Also on the CD are Cleveland's Ben Broussard and Coco Crisp, Cincinnati's Sean Casey, Florida's Jeff Conine, Detroit's Matt Ginter, Tampa Bay's Aubrey Huff, San Diego's Scott Linebrink, Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins and San Francisco's Omar Vizquel.

The CD, produced by Scott Schorr of Good Sports Productions, will be released Tuesday.

"I'm very happy with it," said Wunsch. "That's the song that I play the best. I know I'll catch heat from my teammates, but it'll be fun. It's the chance of a lifetime."

Wunsch said he's never actually been in a band, but he has some experience performing before a live audience.

"I used to play at The Tap before I signed," he said. "I'd play for my bar tab."

First pitch: University of Southern California starting quarterback and 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart will throw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium on Monday to 2003 Cy Young Award Winner Eric Gagné.

Coming up: Derek Lowe will pitch for the Dodgers on Sunday with an extra day of rest after starting five of the first 19 games but having only one victory to show for it. He's 2-1 lifetime against the Rockies, holding them scoreless over seven innings when they met last year while he was with Boston.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.