I made a few jokes at Park Chan-ho’s signing of a minor league deal with the Dodgers, so it’s only fair I be ready to eat crow at any sign of life on his part.

Call me crazy, but I think it’s fair to say this LA Times report is suggesting Park, who pitched three perfect innings yesterday, is leading the race to become the Dodgers’ No. 5 starter.

With Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda set at the top of the rotation, Park is locked in a tight battle with right-handers Esteban Loaiza (who has given up three runs and six hits in seven innings) and Jason Johnson (six innings, three hits, an unearned run) for the slot Jason Schmidt eventually will take when he returns from shoulder surgery.

I’m all for it. But there’s a personal twist here. One of Park’s main competitors is none other than EWC whipping boy favorite Jason Johnson. And when I write favorite, I mean it. I’m rooting for him. I’ll bet Jackson is too.

However I’m not at all a fan of Loaiza, and I’d go as far to say I dislike Jason Schmidt. It’d sure make for a great story going into 2008 if Park won the spot outright. If JJ wins it might be an even more amazing comeback than if Park won.

Boy that’s a good rotation 1-4 though.

Park’s next outing will come Saturday in the first of two exhibition games with the San Diego Padres in Beijing. With both teams sending what amounts to half-minor league squads to play, Park might just be in line for even more success.