The Dodgers claimed right-hander Esteban Loaiza off waivers from the Athletics on Wednesday, assuming nearly $8.5 million in guaranteed salary. Loaiza, a two-time All-Star, had made only two starts after missing the first 4 1/2 months of the season because of three different injuries. He allowed just three earned runs in 14 2-3 innings in the two starts and gives the Dodgers depleted rotation a boost for the stretch run.

Since Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie purchased the Dodgers, they have made some $60 million in renovations. This fourth phase will cost approximately $70 million, which will include enlarging the concourses on the field level. "We're committed to providing our fans with the best experience in sports. And to do that, we have to invest in this facility to make that a reality," McCourt said Tuesday. "As far as whether these improvements are being made to compete with other ballparks, we think Dodger Stadium is unique. We think it's one of the great treasures in all of sports. What it lacks is simply the amenities of the new ballparks -- which don't have the setting, the fan base or the history and the tradition that Dodger Stadium has."

Esteban Loaiza is due $7 million in 2008, the final year of his three-year, $21 million contract. For the A's, that's a ton of money. For other teams, that might be well worth the risk. The Dodgers have genuine interest in Loaiza, according to a National League source. In Toronto, Loaiza surrendered one run and three hits in 72/3 innings.

The 39-year-old Luis Gonzalez hasn't started in five of the Dodgers' last eight games, but he isn't becoming accustomed to sitting. And he has no intention of doing so, meaning his time with the Dodgers could be up when his contract expires at the end of the season. Asked whether he saw himself coming back to play under similar circumstances, Gonzalez replied, "No, no, not here. Anything can happen in the last month, but they've got a good nucleus of young kids here and that's their future. I don't know where I'll end up next year. I'll go with an open mind into the off-season and see what happens."

The Giants acquired second baseman Travis Denker from the Dodgers on Sunday. The move completes the trade involving infielder Mark Sweeney, who was dealt to the Dodgers on August 9.

David Wells played a lot of golf and surfed after the Padres cut him earlier this month. He thought his big league career was over. It turns Boomer may not be done after all. Wells pitched five effective innings in his Dodgers debut and Los Angeles beat the Mets 6-2 on Sunday night to salvage the finale of the three-game series. "It felt weird out there but I've been doing this for a long time," Wells said. "It's a big game, gimme the ball."

The Dodgers severed ties with embattled right-hander Brett Tomko on Friday, designating him for assignment to clear a roster spot for newly signed lefty David Wells. But Tomko, who is 2-11 with a 5.80 ERA this season, wasn't exactly devastated upon being told of his fate. "There is a little bit of a sense of relief," he said. "I love all the guys on this team, and the coaching staff has been great. But it has been a rough year for me in L.A. I haven't been received well at all there. "Hopefully, I will get the chance to go somewhere and get a fresh start for a month and get back to the basics of what made me successful."

David Wells is back in the pennant race with a new team: the Dodgers. Wells and the Dodgers agreed to a contract Thursday and the big lefty plans to make his first start for Los Angeles on Sunday night against the Mets in New York. The 44-year-old Wells was designated for assignment by his hometown Padres on Aug. 9 and placed on release waivers four days later. He cleared waivers last Thursday and became a free agent. The Dodgers will be his ninth team in a 21-year major league career.

Although the Dodgers are believed to have at least some interest in veteran left-hander David Wells, who was released by San Diego last Wednesday, there is little indication either way of how likely they are to sign him. Wells, 44, indicated to the San Diego Union-Tribune when the Padres designated him for assignment Aug. 9 that if the club were to release him, that probably would mean the end of his 21-year career in the majors.

Within hours after David Wells cleared waivers and became a free agent Thursday, the Dodgers and the Rockies were the first teams to express interest in possibly signing the left-hander. Wells was cut free by the Padres last week, after going 5-8 with a 5.54 ERA. Gregg Clifton, his agent, has made it clear that Wells would like to pitch for a contender. The Dodgers have been looking for pitching, in the aftermath of a series of injuries to their starting pitchers, including Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf. The Rockies have recently lost starters Rodrigo Lopez, Jason Hirsh and Aaron Cook to the disabled list.