Dodgers' Garciaparra doubtful for opening day, Torre says
SPRING REPORT / DODGERS 8, CHICAGO WHITE SOX 2
Third baseman has broken bone in his right hand.
PHOENIX -- Nomar Garciaparra is "doubtful" for opening day, Manager Joe Torre said Thursday, and the Dodgers aren't sure how long a broken bone in his right hand will keep their starting third baseman sidelined.
"I don't anticipate him being ready," Torre said. "I think we have to wait probably until the beginning of next week to figure our 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 torn a ligament in his right thumb. LaRoche isn't expected back for at least six weeks.
Among the options in the interim, Torre said, is Tony Abreu, who played some third base for the Dodgers last summer; rookie shortstop Chin-lung Hu; veteran utility player Ramon Martinez; and 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, 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.
Shortstop Rafael Furcal chipped in with four hits, including his third home run of the spring, and staring pitcher Brad Penny gave up three hits and an unearned run in six innings. Less effective was closer Takashi Saito, who took over for Penny and gave up a run and three hits in his only inning.
On the Garciaparra front, General Manager Ned Colletti said he has talked trade with several clubs, characterizing those discussions as normal this time of year. But he added that he would prefer to get a better look at the options on his roster before turning to the trade market.
"There may be something from the outside," he said. "Right now no one's piqued our interest."
Colletti said he would be reluctant to make any kind of deal until he learned more about the length of Garciaparra's absence. In the meantime, he said, he's comfortable with the in-house candidates at third.
Garciaparra's injury was originally diagnosed as a bruise but an MRI in Los Angeles on Wednesday found a microfracture. Garciaparra said he won't swing a bat for at least a week to avoid aggravating the break, leaving him just five days -- at most - to get ready for the Dodgers' March 31 opener.
