Curtis Working on Infield Skills

Outfielder Chad Curtis, acquired by the Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers on July 31, has been taking grounders at third. Curtis, who was an infielder as a minor leaguer, said he simply wants to stay sharp.

“I played the infield all the way through the minor leagues,” Curtis said. “It doesn’t hurt to keep your skills sharp, especially in the National League, where you never know what’s going to happen.

“I figure as my career progresses I have to become more of a versatile-type player and getting back some of my infield skills will probably help me.”

Said Manager Bill Russell: “It’s nice to know [that Curtis can play the infield] in case we get into a game where we run out of infielders or somebody gets hurt.”

*

The Dodgers reportedly have scouted Florida Marlin second baseman Quilvio Veras, who led the majors in stolen bases with 56 last season but was demoted to the minors this season. . . . Russell said the club probably will call up Roger Cedeno, Chad Fonville and Mike Busch on Sept. 1, when clubs can expand their rosters. . . . Reliever Darren Hall, who underwent elbow surgery in April, reported no soreness after throwing batting practice Wednesday for the second time since the surgery.