DODGERS NOTEBOOK: 3RD BASE NOT LIKELY FOR IZTURIS.Byline: TONY JACKSON
Anthony (Antonio) Jackson, best known as Tony Jackson Staff Writer OAKLAND -- Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis might be activated from the disabled list for the first time this season as early as Tuesday, when the Dodgers open a six-game homestand. All indications are that club officials will stick with their plan to use the former Gold Glove winner only as a backup at second base and shortstop. Dodgers manager Grady Little William Grady Little (born March 30, 1950 in Abilene, Texas) is a manager in Major League Baseball. He guided the Boston Red Sox from 2002 to 2003, and has been manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2006. said last week he wanted Izturis to play some third base on his rehab assignment, but that hasn't happened. Little said Saturday he has had discussions with Izturis about that possibility, which clearly would mean more playing time because Bill Mueller Little's unwillingness to reveal the results of that conversation probably means Izturis balked balk v. balked, balk·ing, balks v.intr. 1. To stop short and refuse to go on: The horse balked at the jump. 2. at the idea. ``That's between us,'' Little said. Assuming Izturis doesn't want to play third, the Dodgers probably will option left-handed reliever Hong-Chih Kuo Hong-Chih Kuo (Traditional Chinese: 郭泓志; pinyin: Guō Hóngzhì) (born July 23, 1981 in Tainan City, Taiwan) is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. to Las Vegas to make room for Izturis on the roster. Another possible move would be to send Willy Aybar down. But that would leave Ramon Martinez and Olmedo Saenz -- two of the club's most dependable reserves whom Little doesn't like to start because he feels he needs them on his bench -- as the only possibilities at third base. Still struggling: General manager Ned Colletti loves the idea of competition within a ballclub. To that end, Izturis' pending promotion might have a positive effect on shortstop Rafael Furcal, who has committed 16 errors and arguably has been a bust in the leadoff spot. Furcal furcal /fur·cal/ (fur´k'l) shaped like a fork; forked. fur·cal adj. Forked. furcal forked. entered the day with a .329 on-base percentage, then made outs on the first pitch in each of his first two plate appearances against Oakland's Kirk Saarloos. Colletti seemed to discount the idea that Izturis' presence will light a fire under Furcal. ``Possibly, but (Furcal) is pretty competitive with himself a lot of times,'' Colletti said. ``I know he's not satisfied with how he is playing. I know he is frustrated with himself. But I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. if he needs external motivation.'' LaRoche hurt: Las Vegas third baseman Andy LaRoche, one of the Dodgers' top prospects, suffered a small tear of the labrum labrum /la·brum/ (la´brum) pl. la´bra [L.] an edge, rim, or lip. la·brum n. pl. la·bra A lip-shaped anatomical edge, rim, or structure. labrum pl. of his right shoulder while making a diving play Friday against Salt Lake. He will rest for now and be re-evaluated in a week to 10 days. ``He caught the ball and threw from his knees and felt a sharp pain,'' Dodgers trainer Stan Johnston said. ``It's still very sore.'' |
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