Ledee Still Has a Co-Star Role

VIERA, Fla. —  Hollywood’s team has an actor on the roster, sort of. In Kevin Costner’s 1999 movie “For Love of the Game,” Dodger outfielder Ricky Ledee portrayed a ballplayer. And what did Ledee do?

“Strike out,” he said with a smile, “like always.”

The comment reflected the humility necessary for any bench player to last in the major leagues. Ledee could start in left field on opening day, but only if Jayson Werth’s arm does not heal in time.

The Dodgers signed Ledee in December to a two-year, $2.5-million contract, as Plan B in case the injured ligament in Werth’s elbow did not heal. General Manager Paul DePodesta said he also likes Ledee because he can play center field if needed and can platoon with Werth if needed.

In his first full major league season, Werth last year hit .290 against left-handers and .249 against right-handers. Ledee is a career .243 hitter against right-handers, but two years ago he hit 13 home runs in 255 at-bats.

“If needed” is hardly the job description Ledee had in mind when he arrived in the majors in 1998, another of the New York Yankees’ oft-touted top prospects. But he was traded twice in 2000, tore up his knee in 2001, and now he’s playing for his sixth major league club, a bona fide bench player at 31.

“It’s a label nobody wants to have,” he said, “but it’s better than nothing.”

Ledee said he is in no hurry to return to Hollywood, because Hollywood is in no hurry to do much of anything, or so it seems during scenes involving minutes of shooting and hours of waiting.

“They’re not organized like we are,” he said.

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For the first time this spring, Brad Penny threw breaking balls, changeups and full-speed fastballs in the same workout. The Dodgers expect him to start the season on the disabled list, as he rehabilitates the nerve injury in his right arm, but they hope he can pitch during the final two weeks of exhibition games and rejoin the team sometime in April.... Manager Jim Tracy said he expected Odalis Perez (biceps tendinitis) to make his exhibition debut this weekend, and DePodesta said that left enough time for the pitcher to make the opening-day roster.... The game against Washington was rained out in the third inning, with the Nationals leading, 5-0. Dodger starter Edwin Jackson gave up five runs in two innings, throwing two wild pitches and a pickoff attempt past first base for an error.... The Dodgers sent pitchers Ryan Ketchner, Joel Hanrahan, Orlando Rodriguez and Derek Thompson, infielders James Loney and Delwyn Young, and outfielders Tydus Meadows and Jon Weber to minor league camp.