DODGERS NOTEBOOK: JOB SECURE, IZTURIS WORKS TO ADD LH BAT.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer PHOENIX - When the Dodgers sent Joe Thurston Joe Thurston (born September 29, 1979 in Fairfield, California) is a second baseman in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies. Thurston graduated from Vallejo High School. to the minor leagues, it meant 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 and Jolbert Cabrera Jolbert Cabrera [HOLE-bert kah-BRAY-rah] (born December 8, 1972 in Cartagena, Colombia) is a baseball outfielder/infielder who until recently played with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japan's Pacific League. would platoon loosely at second base. But it also meant Cesar Izturis was back as the full-time starter at shortstop. A steady and sometimes dazzling defensive player, Izturis lost his job last July as manager Jim Tracy
With a deeper lineup and more focus on developing the switch-hitting Izturis' approach from the left side, Tracy said before Monday's season opener against Arizona that Izturis would get the bulk of the playing time at shortstop. ``We're talking about and/or are stuck solely on offense,'' Tracy said. ``The dynamics he brings to the table defensively are extremely encouraging for a ballclub and a pitching staff. We got to a point a year ago where we were looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. this guy to be an offensive force for us. That's unfair. That's compromising the player because of a deficiency somewhere else in the lineup.'' However, Izturis realizes he must improve on last season's dismal display from the left side. He batted .306 from the right side, but .195 left-handed. Even worse was his .214 on-base percentage from the left side. In his offseason workouts, Izturis, who went 2 for 4 Monday but 0 for 1 as a lefty, concentrated on improving his approach as a left-handed hitter. He continued that this spring with hitting coach Jack Clark Jack Clark may refer to:
``One day, Jack told me to throw the bottom hand to the ball, to hit down,'' Izturis said. ``I know I can hit from the left side. I know I can do it. I feel good right now. I know if I end up (hitting well), I can play every day. I have to do the little things: hit the ball the other way, get some walks.'' --Alvarez accepts assignment: Left-handed pitcher Wilson Alvarez ``I need to work on my control, and I need to work on my mechanics,'' Alvarez said from his Florida home. ``That was the biggest problem the whole spring. I like it with the Dodgers, and I like the organization, so I'm going to give it a try.'' Alvarez, a 12-year major-league veteran, had an 8.47 ERA in spring training. He walked nine in 17 innings. The Dodgers view him as starting pitching depth at the minor-league level in case of injury to the major-league rotation or insurance as a long reliever Long relievers are a type of relief pitcher in baseball. Long relievers traditionally enter early in a game (anywhere from the first inning to the fourth inning) when the starting pitcher cannot continue, whether due to ineffective pitching, lack of endurance, rain delays, injury, . --Clark better: The condition of Clark, injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday, improved Monday, though he remained in stable condition in the intensive care unit of Good Samaritan Hospital Good Samaritan Hospital may refer to: In the United States:
Clark was able to eat Jell-O and doctors discussed when he would be able to walk, Dodgers senior vice president Derrick Hall said. Clark suffered a collapsed lung, but doctors anticipated that possibility because he broke several ribs, Hall added. Clark also suffered cuts and scrapes to his head. The club continues to discuss fill-in plans for Clark. Coach Manny Mota and minor-league hitting instructor Bob Mariano are currently splitting Clark's duties. ``He's very lucky,'' said Tracy, who planned to visit Clark after Monday's opener. ``He's very lucky that he's alive.'' Left fielder Brian Jordan said the Dodgers were sending Clark a game ball from the win. --Odds and ends: Arizona reliever Bret Prinz suffered a strained right groin throwing a pitch in the eighth inning. An MRI 1. (application) MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2. MRI - Measurement Requirements and Interface. is scheduled for today. ... After the Dodgers spent the spring drilling pitchers in bunting, Hideo Nomo failed in the first bunt attempt. Nomo struck out with a runner on first and none out in the third inning, though it was against Arizona's hard-throwing Randy Johnson. CAPTION(S): box Box: DODGERS vs. ARIZONA - Brian Dohn |
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