DODGERS NOTEBOOK: OPTIONS ABOUND AT THIRD.

Byline: Tony Jackson  Staff Writer

CINCINNATI - With Dodgers manager Jim Tracy now having to spend a lot more time each day figuring out who will play third base, general manager Paul DePodesta said Friday that Tracy might eventually have another option before the injured Jose Valentin returns late in the season.

Highly touted infield prospect Willy Aybar, who has been playing third base on a regular basis at Triple-A Las Vegas, might be called up if the revolving door of Norihiro Nakamura, Olmedo Saenz, Mike Edwards and, when he comes back, Antonio Perez, doesn't produce.

``(Aybar) is hitting .340 and playing the position well,'' DePodesta said. ``It might be tough to bring him up in the short term, but it's something we would certainly consider going forward if things don't work out with what we have now.''

DePodesta said he feels no need to seek a trade for another third baseman while Valentin recovers from three partially torn ligaments in his right knee, and that even if he did it would be tough to find a trade at this stage of the season.

The switch-hitting Aybar, 22, would only come to the big leagues if he were going to see significant playing time because club officials don't want to inhibit his development.

``Our preference would be for him to continue his development (in the minors),'' DePodesta said. ``But if it comes down to it, and he holds up his end of the bargain down there, I won't hesitate to bring him up here.''

Meanwhile, each of the other four options at third comes with warts. Perez, who is still on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment with Las Vegas and left Wednesday's game after being hit in the head by a pitch, is still getting comfortable at third.

--Izturis OK: Two days after leaving a game with a mildly sprained right ankle after fouling a pitch off his right foot, shortstop Cesar Izturis returned to the lineup. ``There is still a little bit of swelling in his ankle,'' Tracy said. ``He isn't having any kind of discomfort.''