Nomar Garciaparra: Undecided about retirement

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Still uncertain whether his calves can withstand another baseball season, Nomar Garciaparra said today that he hasn’t decided if he’ll sign a new contract or retire.

“A few teams are talking to me,” Garciaparra said. “They understand.”

Among the potential suitors, the 35-year-old infielder said, are the Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.

Being without a contract didn’t stop the injury-prone Garciaparra from starting at right back in the Celebrity Soccer Challenge today at the Home Depot Center in Carson that was hosted by him and his wife, former U.S. women’s national team player Mia Hamm. Hamm assisted on the game’s first goal and instead of leaping into the arm’s of her teammates, headlocked Garciaparra, who was on the opposing team.

Garciaparra said teams have talked to him about various roles.

“There are some teams that want that,” he said of him playing shortstop. “Some third, some first.”

Garciaparra said he hasn’t thought of whether he would accept a utility role. He said he wouldn’t discount re-signing with the Dodgers just because their infield has been solidified with the re-signing of shortstop Rafael Furcal and third baseman Casey Blake.

“They said that last year and look at what happened,” he said, referring to the multitude of injuries that hit the club.

-- Dylan Hernandez