Garciaparra Will Stay at First

VERO BEACH, Fla. â€”  Manager Grady Little is quick to scuttle speculation that Nomar Garciaparra will play anywhere but first base. The former shortstop has worked diligently to become proficient at his new position, and Little believes it would be unfair to ask him to also learn to play, say, left field simply because the Dodgers might have a need there.

Garciaparra’s place in the batting order is less certain.

The Dodgers had him penciled into the No. 5 spot to give cleanup hitter Jeff Kent the protection he lacked the second half of last season. But Garciaparra batted second in a 5-2 victory over the Florida Marlins on Thursday, and Little said it won’t be the last time.

Center fielder Kenny Lofton will bat second when he and leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal are in the lineup. But the 38-year-old Lofton is expected to play only about 110 games.

Earlier, Little said third baseman Bill Mueller was the logical candidate to bat second on days Lofton rested. Now, though, he is leaning toward Garciaparra.

“That’s a strong possibility,� Little said. “Nomar can do a lot of things with the bat wherever he hits. I like Bill down in the order. I like the things he brings to the lineup in the sixth or seventh hole.�

Garciaparra has not batted second often in his career. He said he doesn’t mind, but would prefer not to bounce around the batting order.

“One thing Grady is great about is keeping things consistent,� he said. “I don’t think that will change.�

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Dioner Navarro’s injured right hamstring felt considerably better a day after he strained it. Trainer Stan Johnston said an accurate timetable for the catcher’s return can’t be determined for several days.

Navarro was given a cortisone shot and might have an MRI exam in a few days.

“It was really painful,� he said. “When it happened, I thought I’d be out three months.�

Little said two weeks is a good estimation, which would approach opening day.

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Kevin Malone visited Dodgertown for the first time since he was forced to resign as general manager early in the 2001 season.

“It was hard for a long time,� Malone said. “Enough time has passed and it feels good to be here.�

He doesn’t think he will work again in baseball.

“I am grateful for the opportunities I had,� he said.

“I’m able to spend a lot of time with my wife and kids, and I value that.�

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Closer Eric Gagne threw five fastballs clocked at 90 mph and 91 mph among 10 pitches he threw to three batters.... Third baseman Andy LaRoche and left-handed pitcher Greg Miller were optioned to minor league camp.... Outfielders Jose Cruz Jr. and Ricky Ledee will be back today after playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.... Joel Guzman, Cody Ross, Delwyn Young and Mueller homered.