PHOENIX -- Nomar Garciaparra is doubtful for opening day with a broken bone in his right hand, Manager Joe Torre said Thursday, leaving the Dodgers searching for a starting third baseman.
"I don't anticipate him being ready," Torre said. "I think we have to wait probably until the beginning of next week to figure out how long we're going to be without Nomar."
Garciaparra hasn't played since taking a pitch off his wrist March 7, the same day backup third baseman Andy LaRoche tore a ligament in his right thumb. LaRoche isn't expected back for at least six weeks.
Among the options in the interim, Torre said, are Tony Abreu, 23, who played some third base for the Dodgers last summer; rookie shortstop Chin-lung Hu; veteran utility player Ramon Martinez; and 22-year-old Blake DeWitt, who was promoted from minor league camp two days after Garciaparra was injured and has played well in his absence.
In the Dodgers' 8-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, DeWitt played the first five innings at third base, striking out and walking in two plate appearances before being replaced by Abreu. Hu started at second base and had a two-run triple. He's expected to play at third today.
General Manager Ned Colletti has had discussions with other teams about available infielders but said he would prefer to explore the options on his own roster before turning to the trade market.
"There may be something from the outside," he said. "Right now no one's piqued our interest."
Garciaparra's injury was originally diagnosed as a bruise, but an MRI exam Wednesday found a microfracture. He said he won't swing a bat for at least a week, leaving him five days -- at most -- to get ready for the March 31 opener, making it likely he'll start the season on the disabled list.
"I'm not even looking that far ahead. I know it's a big cliche, but I am looking at it one day at a time to see how it feels every day," he said. "I have no control over the healing process. The body will do that."
Penny to start opener
Brad Penny, pitching in the ballpark where he made his professional debut 13 years ago, gave up an unearned run and three hits in five innings to help the Dodgers open the Arizona portion of their spring training schedule by beating the White Sox.
And afterward Torre named him the opening-day starter.
"It's an honor," said Penny, who has never made an opening-day start. "I'm excited to get it started on the right foot."
