DODGERS NOTEBOOK: DODGERS LOOKING FOR BENCH HELP.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer ST. LOUIS - Looking to bolster their bench and offense with a utility infielder A utility infielder is a baseball player, usually someone who does not have a regular starting role on the team, who is capable of playing more than one of the four defensive infield positions: second base, third base, shortstop, and less typically first base. , the Dodgers are targeting Milwaukee's Tyler Houston Tyler Sam Houston (born January 17, 1971 in Long Beach, California), is a former professional baseball player who played third base and catcher in the Major Leagues from 1996-2003. Hitting Stats
Dodgers pinch hitters have just two homers and 11 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in but are batting a league-leading .278. With limited flexibility on the major-league roster and few resources in the minor leagues, the Dodgers are looking mostly for bullpen and bench help. Houston, a left-handed batter, plays first and third and can catch. The 31-year-old is batting .329 with seven homers and 32 RBI in 63 games and wouldn't be a financial burden. Houston is making $1.625 million, which would translate into the Dodgers paying less than half his salary if a deal is made. Houston also can provide power. He belted a career-high 18 homers in 284 at-bats in 2000, and is 3 for 6 with a homer and three RBI as a pinch hitter this season. The switch-hitting Mueller, 31, missed the first five weeks of the season after undergoing knee surgery. Primarily a third baseman third baseman n. Baseball The infielder stationed near third base. Noun 1. third baseman - (baseball) the person who plays third base third sacker , Mueller has limited experience at second. He is batting .250 with two homers and 20 RBI in 52 games. Salary could be an issue with Mueller, who makes $3.45 million. He is 1 for 4 with a homer and two RBI as a pinch hitter. It would cost the Dodgers approximately $1.5 million to acquire him, and the club isn't gung-ho on adding much payroll. Either of the players would be used in a utility role, perhaps playing a couple of times a week. Dodgers general manager Dan Evans, who does not comment on trade talk, has spoken with Cubs and Brewers officials about both players. The Dodgers would prefer to give up a minor-leaguer in the deal, but outfielder Hiram Bocachica Hiram Colon Bocachica (born March 4, 1976, in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball player, currently playing outfield for the San Diego Padres. He is 5'11" and weighs around 195 pounds. or infielder Alex Cora José Alexander (Alex) Cora (born October 18, 1975 in Caguas, Puerto Rico) is a utility infielder for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. University of Miami career could be included, sources said. The Dodgers are seventh in the league in runs scored, averaging 4.1 runs per game. They have scored three runs or fewer in 39 games, losing 27 of them. --To homer, or not: Two days after saying he was ``doubtful'' for Monday's home run hitting contest at Milwaukee's Miller Park, and despite the medical staff advising against it, Dodgers right fielder right fielder n. Baseball The player who defends right field. Noun 1. right fielder - the person who plays right field outfielder - (baseball) a person who plays in the outfield Shawn Green Shawn David Green (born November 10, 1972, in Des Plaines, Illinois) is a 6' 4" left-handed Major League Baseball player. Green is the starting right fielder for the New York Mets.[1] Green was a 1st round draft pick, and has been a two-time major league All-Star. said he might participate. He will take the weekend to determine whether his jammed left thumb is up to it. However, expect a summit to take place before the Dodgers give Green their blessing. ``I'm not going to take a real stance on it until the weekend is over,'' Dodgers general manager Dan Evans said. ``I will be in Milwaukee and I will be able to see how Shawn feels then. I understand (trainer) Stan (Johnston's) viewpoint and support it, and we'll see how he feels at the end of the weekend.'' --Hansen ties mark: When infielder Dave Hansen
In nobility:
``It's been a long road to get to this point, but when I think of pinch hitting, I think of Manny,'' said Hansen, who has 116 career pinch hits. ``He's a mentor for me. He's already done it. Anything that I've been through, he's been through a long time before I was. I take everything he has to offer and apply it. It's nice to be right there with him, but, my goodness, he's still the pinch-hitting king.'' --Odds and ends: Right-hander Darren Dreifort threw 30 pitches in batting practice before the game as he continues his recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery last July. Dreifort said he expects to pitch at some point this season, and manager Jim Tracy said it's possible Dreifort could begin a rehabilitation assignment by the end of the month. ... Minor-league right-hander Joel Hanrahan, one of the top pitching prospects in the lower levels, threw his second no-hitter of the season for Single-A Vero Beach. In a rain-shortened six innings, he beat Brevard 5-1. DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS Time: 1:05 p.m., Busch Stadium. TV/Radio: Ch. 11; 1150-AM, 1330-AM (Spanish). Matchup: Dodgers RH Hideo Nomo (9-5, 3.28 ERA) has the longest winning streak in the league at seven but will be challenged by the humidity and Cardinals RH Woody Williams (6-3, 2.39). Since getting beat May 12 by the Marlins, Nomo is 7-0 with a 2.76 ERA. Williams has returned nicely after missing a month with a strained muscle in his rib cage rib cage n. The enclosing structure formed by the ribs and the bones to which they are attached. . He's 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA in his past five starts. - Brian Dohn CAPTION(S): box Box: DODGERS vs. ST. LOUIS (see text) |
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