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Gagne Is Playing It Safe

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Times Staff Writer

Want the skinny on Eric Gagne’s rehabilitation from elbow surgery? Ask the guy who is catching the Dodger closer every day during workouts near Gagne’s home in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“He’s throwing great, his fastball is hopping and his changeup is really good,” said Russell Martin, a top Dodger prospect at catcher.

Gagne is pitching more than baseballs to Martin, a fellow Canadian. He is also dispensing advice, beginning with a suggestion that Martin decline an invitation to play in the World Baseball Classic in March.

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Gagne has all but made up his mind that he won’t play.

“Most likely not,” he said. “I don’t want to rush anything. I want to be healthy for the Dodgers and I feel good right now. I want to be smart about it.”

Representing Canada excited Gagne last summer, and for months he was emphatic about playing. But he doesn’t want to jeopardize the work he has put in to rebound from his injury-plagued 2005 season. He pitched for only a month, beginning and ending the season on the disabled list.

“I haven’t built up yet to the point I need to be to pitch in a ballgame,” he said. “But next time around, I’ll definitely play for Canada.”

He has advised Martin to skip the WBC for a different reason.

“He told me I have a shot at making the Dodger team, and that if I miss part of spring training it will jeopardize my chances,” Martin said.

Martin, 22, was a standout at double-A Jacksonville last season and is expected to begin the season in triple A. But he will be given an opportunity to compete with Dioner Navarro and Sandy Alomar Jr. in spring training.

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Dodger first baseman Nomar Garciaparra resisted the tug of his heartstrings when he changed his mind last week and told the Mexican WBC team that he wouldn’t play.

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“When I was asked, I was excited to represent Mexico,” he said. “But with my health history and learning a new position, it just wouldn’t be wise.”

The Dodgers won’t have many players in the 16-team tournament, which will be held March 3-20. Medical issues are expected to prevent Jeff Kent, Rafael Furcal, J.D. Drew and Cesar Izturis from participating. The Dodgers say all but Izturis will be ready for spring training.

The only Dodger pitchers expected to participate are Jae Seo of South Korea and Yhency Brazoban of the Dominican Republic.

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Gagne, Garciaparra, Martin, Manager Grady Little, outfielder Kenny Lofton, batting coach Eddie Murray and former Dodger pitcher Bobby Castillo participated in a Dodger publicity caravan that made four stops, visiting Luther Burbank Middle School, Pierce College, Woodland Hills Sunrise Little League and Universal CityWalk.

Former Dodger third baseman Ron Cey joined the group at CityWalk to put his handprints in blue cement on a sidewalk.

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Fernando Valenzuela, 45, had another solid season in the Mexican Winter League, posting a 4-2 record with a 4.21 earned-run average for Mexicali.

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Valenzuela, the color analyst for Dodger Spanish-language radio broadcasts, last pitched in the major leagues in 1997.

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