Izturis Looks Like No. 1

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —  It seems apparent to just about everyone in Dodger camp--players, coaches, reporters, clubhouse attendants, groundskeepers--that 22-year-old Cesar Izturis has all but locked up the shortstop job, even though Manager Jim Tracy said he hasn’t decided whether Izturis or Alex Cora will start.

Tracy seemed to go out of his way to break Cora’s fall Monday when he was asked why Cora was starting at shortstop and Izturis at second base in the Dodgers’ 5-0 exhibition loss to the New York Mets.

Tracy began by saying both could play either middle infield position, but then he veered off course with an unsolicited promotion of Cora, who was the starter last season.

“I want that shortstop to understand that I still think he’s a darn good defensive player,” Tracy said. “I don’t want him to lose sight of that.”

Have Cora’s spirits sagged under the weight of Izturis’ rave reviews? His manager thinks not. “He’s not down,” Tracy said. “I have to look at contingencies. I haven’t made up my mind who the shortstop will be, but whoever it is, we have to be prepared in case of injury.”

Tracy said Cora, who has had plenty of time at second base this spring and may play some third, will be considered for a utility infield job, but he will have to hit better than he did last season (.217, four home runs, 29 runs batted in) to edge Jeff Reboulet for that role. There’s a slim chance Cora and Reboulet both could make the team.

Cora is out of minor league options, so he would have to clear waivers before being sent to triple-A Las Vegas. The Dodgers have virtually no depth at shortstop in the upper levels of their farm system and don’t want to lose Cora, whose $625,000 contract could deter some teams from claiming him.

Cora has handled the situation with class. He and Izturis have become friends, and while Cora does not seem eager to discuss his potential demotion, he is not bitter.

“I’m just worried about myself,” said Cora, who ranged deep behind second base to field Edgardo Alfonzo’s third-inning grounder and threw to first for the out Monday. “I’m doing what’s asked, catching the ball, getting some hits, taking my walks. I’m just doing my thing. That’s all I have to say.”

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If the Dodgers lose a one-run game to the Mets this season because New York catcher Mike Piazza cuts down the potential tying run in the ninth with a superb block of the plate, they will have one of their own to thank.

Piazza took what he called “a crash course in catching” this winter from former Dodger catcher Steve Yeager, spending a week with Yeager at the Bucky Dent Academy in Delray Beach, Fla. Yeager will join the Dodgers today as a temporary catching instructor.

“Being in the big leagues for 10 years, you’re never too old to go back to school,” Piazza said. “[Yeager] noticed I wasn’t balanced on my throws, I was rushing my throws, and I wasn’t in great position on plays at the plate. He was a great catcher, and it was an honor to work with him.

“I don’t ever expect to be Ivan Rodriguez behind the plate, but if there’s one little piece of the game that can make me a better player, if I can show the organization I’m committed to improve, I’ll do it.”

Many speculated Piazza, 33, would have moved to first base by now, but a winter trade for first baseman Mo Vaughn, who has three years remaining on his contract, will keep Piazza behind the plate.

“I don’t know where all that talk about me moving to first came from; I’ve beaten that rap for how many years now?” Piazza said. “I go week to week. I don’t think long-term about it. As long as I’m in good shape and still enjoy catching, I’ll do it.”

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Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, sidelined because of a sore right hamstring, will make his first Grapefruit League start today. Center fielder Tom Goodwin, out because of a strained muscle in his left side, also was cleared to play.... Potential closer Matt Herges gave up three runs and four hits Monday and walked pitcher Grant Roberts with the bases loaded in the eighth inning. Tracy didn’t seem concerned. “He’s surrendered a few runs, but he’s a power pitcher, and he has to build himself up to where he left off last year,” Tracy said....The Dodgers had three hits against the Mets, same as Sunday against Houston.