Candiotti’s Future Flutters

Knuckleballer Tom Candiotti couldn’t help but wonder Saturday if he had made his final start in a Dodger uniform.

“I still think it’s a good possibility I could be traded,” said Candiotti, the losing pitcher in the Dodgers’ 4-3 loss Saturday to the Florida Marlins in Melbourne, Fla. “I would imagine there would be some teams that would look for a starter who can go out there 30 to 35 times a year and pile up a couple of hundred innings.

“To tell you the truth, I really didn’t think I would still be here. But all I know is that I’m a Dodger right now.”

Candiotti actually would love to stay with the Dodgers--but only as a starter.

But the Dodgers intend to use Chan Ho Park as their fifth starter and keep Candiotti in the bullpen. The decision has already been made by the organization but not announced.

The Dodgers will continue their attempt to trade Candiotti and his $3-million contract, but they have not received an offer. Even when they do get an offer, Candiotti has the right to reject any trade because he has spent five years with the Dodgers and more than 10 years in the big leagues.

If nothing else, Candiotti will be invaluable insurance in case they need a starter. The way the Dodgers figure it, they’ll start receiving interest in Candiotti once teams realize their fifth starter won’t be able to cut it.

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The Dodgers, who were counting on Chip Hale to be their top pinch-hitter, suddenly have become concerned. Hale is batting only .094 this spring with one RBI in 32 at-bats.

The Dodgers have three more days to determine whether they want to guarantee Hale’s $280,000 salary. They are expected to retain Hale, but acknowledge it’s possible they could instead keep Chad Fonville on the opening-day roster.