BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Claire Sticking With Offerman

With Alfredo Griffin out for as long as six weeks with a fractured cheekbone, the Dodgers are faced with a tough question.

Do they risk playing rookie Jose Offerman at shortstop during the pennant race? Or do they trade for a veteran?

If they trade for a veteran, such as the Chicago Cubs’ very available Shawon Dunston, it would make many people wonder why they even have a player development system. But if Offerman continues to exhibit the sloppy fielding that has marked his career, it could cost the Dodgers important wins.

“I am not going to trade for a shortstop because we have a shortstop--Jose Offerman,” Vice President Fred Claire said. “We are very strong believers in player development, and if we bring in a veteran every time we need to fill a hole, there would never be any openings for the younger players here.

“Opportunities like this are exactly what Jose has prepared for.”

The Dodgers have until Aug. 31 to acquire a player who would be eligible for the postseason.

O fferman was batting .300 in 78 games for triple-A Albuquerque, with 17 errors. In his brief time with the Dodgers earlier this summer, he batted .195 in 14 games with no errors.

“I’ve been here before, I know what to do,” he said Tuesday after an all-day flight from Albuquerque. “I know I can do it.”

Griffin, who underwent surgery on his fractured cheekbone at Centinela Hospital Medical Center Tuesday, will undergo an unusual rehabilitation.

Doctors said he can begin hitting as soon as Monday. But because of danger to the healing cheek, which now contains a pin, he cannot risk the sort of contact that comes with playing shortstop. When he returns around mid-September, Griffin may wear a face guard at bat, and goggles in the field.