Nothing minor about Blake DeWitt

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Blake DeWitt wasn’t in the conversation when the Dodgers were talking about their options at third base over the winter. And he wasn’t even in the major-league clubhouse a week ago.

But with injuries to Nomar Garciaparra, Andy La Roche and Tony Abreu leaving the Dodgers short of infielders with half the team in China, DeWitt has gotten a chance to show the coaching staff what he can do.

And he’s making the most of it.

Today, the 22-year-old DeWitt made an outstanding defensive play, had three hits – including his second home run in three days – and drove in three runs in a sloppy, 7-6 Grapefruit League loss to the Houston Astros.

“Three or four days ago I was on the minor league side and I got the call that I was going to get the opportunity to come over here. And I was pretty excited,” said DeWitt, who didn’t get his named added to the back of his jersey until his third day with the Dodgers. “I’m just looking at it as a great opportunity to come out here and get some experience. I’m just here to have fun, kind of see where I stand as far as what I need to improve. And whatever happens, happens.”

What’s unlikely to happen is the left-hand-hitting DeWitt sticking with the big-league club despite his .333 spring average. But with the Dodgers, who reportedly investigated several trade scenarios, now saying they’ll address their third base problems from within, the timing couldn’t be better for DeWitt.

Because even if he doesn’t make the team out of spring training, he has given the coaches something to remember.

“I haven’t really thought about that,” said DeWitt, who batted a career-best .292 with 14 homers and 66 RBIs in a 2007 season split between Class-A Inland Empire and double-A Jacksonville. “But it’s good to get over here and get to meet everybody, kind of see how things work and just get some experience.

“It’s definitely a confidence boost. I’m having a blast.”

Kuroda hit hard

Hiroki Kuroda got a lot of practice working from the stretch in his three-inning outing against the Astros, giving up six runs – five earned – and six hits. At one point in Houston’s five-run second inning, Kuroda allowed seven consecutive batters to reach base.

But he didn’t get much help from his teammates, with second baseman Delwyn Young making two errors, right fielder Jason Repko misjudging a ball that fell for a double and shortstop Ivan De Jesus botching a couple of plays. The Dodgers made four defensive errors – and a couple of offensive ones, with De Jesus missing a sign for a squeeze bunt, short-circuiting one rally, and Young was picked off first in the fourth.

The loss was the third straight for the Dodgers, who haven’t won since Tommy Lasorda took over as manager when Joe Torre left for the split-squad trip to China.

Injury update

Abreu, limited to three at-bats this spring by a lingering abdominal injury, was cleared by doctors to resume baseball activities without restrictions.

Abreu flew to Philadelphia on Wednesday to be examined by sports hernia specialist Dr. William Meyers, who operated on the 23-year-old last October. Abreu, who is competing for a backup infield job, took batting practice and took grounders at Dodgertown and will progress back into spring training games as his running improves, trainer Stan Conte said. There is no timetable for his return.

Back to work

Mark Sweeney, out since March 4 with a sore left knee, made a painful return to the lineup against the Astros when he was hit on the foot in his first at-bat. Sweeney, the Dodgers’ designated hitter, had three singles and drove in a run in three subsequent at-bats.

“It’s frustrating because I know how important these at-bats are for me,” said Sweeney, a veteran pinch-hit specialist. “Spring training is important for a bench player.”

kevin.baxter@latimes.com