The Los Angeles Dodgers are starting to look like a real life M.A.S.H unit these days. So much so, that they have started to worry about their infield depth, especially where 3rd base is concerned.

On Friday, Nomar Garciappara, who hasn’t played an injury free season since 2003, was hit by a pitch on his right wrist, which was still sore and swollen on Saturday. If they thought that was bad, the news got worse as young 3rd baseman, and shoe-in candidate to start the 2008 season at the hot corner, Andy LaRoche will be out 8-10 weeks after tearing ligaments in his right thumb. An MRI revealed the tear and a chip fracture, he was notified by phone on Friday night that he would need surgery. He will undergo the surgery back in Los Angeles, but says he’ll return to Vero Beach to be with the team and go through rehab there.

Not only is their depth at 3rd base now in jeopardy, but so is 2nd base now with Jeff Kent sidelined with a strained hamstring. The Dodgers had planned to go with Tony Abreu, but he has still not fully recovered from surgery on a sports hernia in October of last year. General Manager Ned Colletti could be forced to look at trade options to fill 2nd base until either player is 100% ready to go.

As for right now, however, he’s now looking at SS Chin-Lung Hu and outfielder Delwyn Young at 3rd base and though neither has played the position in a major league game, both are ready for the challenge, Young is also a possibility to fill in at 2nd as well. Manager Joe Torre did mention players like Detroit’s Brandon Inge and White Sox’s Joe Crede as trade possibilities, he didn’t think either were players their front office were interested in.

If the Dodgers are without LaRoche for any long lengths of time, that is really going to hurt them. I don’t know if Nomar can be the offensive factor he used to be, also having Jeff Kent sidelined isn’t going to help them much either. It’ll be interesting to see how they start the season and what players they have where.

Popularity: 1% [?]