DODGERS NOTEBOOK: LONEY GETS UNEXPECTED CALL.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

James Loney's sparkling performance this spring had Dodgers officials thinking his stay in Triple-A Las Vegas might not last too long.

Little did anyone know it wouldn't even last one at-bat.

Loney, a highly regarded first baseman, was called up to the Dodgers on Tuesday after Nomar Garciaparra landed on the disabled list with a strained right rib cage muscle.

The 21-year old Loney was preparing for his first Triple-A start Thursday against Fresno, but instead found himself in the starting lineup Tuesday when the Dodgers hosted the Atlanta Braves.

Loney was at first base and batted fifth.

"I feel great," an ecstatic Loney said. I feel God's blessed me. I've worked pretty hard for this and I'm just going to do my best and help the team any way I can."

Garciaparra injured the rib muscle swinging the bat Sunday in the Dodgers' spring training finale against the Angels. He was scratched from the opening day lineup Monday and hoped that rest, treatment and a cortisone shot would enable him to return Tuesday.

Although the pain did subside a bit by Tuesday, the Dodgers decided to give Garciaparra the two weeks to let the injury heal completely.

"The thinking is to take care of it out now so it's not a problem the whole year," Garciaparra said. "It's better to be smart now, take the two weeks and hopefully be ready to go the rest of the year with no problems."

Dodgers manager Grady Little was impressed by Loney during the spring and had no reservations about immediately inserting him into the starting lineup. Loney hasn't taken a swing above Double-A, but Little said it didn't matter.

"He's had a lot of big league pitches thrown at him in spring training camp," Little said. "He's probably seen a lot more of those than some kids who get to the big leagues for the first time."

Loney is expected to be with the Dodgers until Garciaparra comes off the disabled list, although Little didn't rule out an extended stay based on Loney's performance over the next two weeks.

"Once a guy puts a uniform on in the major leagues, sometimes they force you into making decisions you didn't really plan on," Little said. "Hopefully he'll put something together here that makes it tough for us to make a decision."

--This and that: Eric Gagne dropped his appeal on a two-game suspension that dated back to last year, and began serving the penalty Monday. Gagne was reprimanded for arguing strikes from the dugout with umpires during two games last April. Gagne was on the disabled list at the time. ... An MRI on Cesar Izturis' right elbow showed the shortstop is recovering nicely from last september's Tommy John surgery. Izturis is on target to begin a minor league rehabilitation assignment in two weeks, and there have been discussions about playing him at second base and the outfield.

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