Beltre Takes the First Cut of Spring--in a Car Door

Third baseman Adrian Beltre needed two stitches Wednesday to close a cut opened on his right pinky when he inadvertently caught it in a car door.

Beltre suffered the cut when he arrived for the first day of full-squad workouts at Dodgertown. Team trainer Charlie Strasser said X-rays did not reveal a fracture, and Beltre is listed as day to day.

Beltre is expected to continue participating in running drills, and he might start batting practice in a few days. He said his pride was hurt more than his finger.

“I was just angry at myself that I did that,” said Beltre, 20, who was promoted from double-A San Antonio last season. “I was coming [to Dodgertown] with [shortstop Jose] Vizcaino and [catcher Angel] Pena, and my hand got caught when I closed the door.

“The first day and I did that. I didn’t even practice and I cut my finger. It was a lot of pain. I thought it was a lot worse.”

The Dodgers downplayed the situation, saying that missing practice shouldn’t derail Beltre in his attempt to be the opening day third baseman. He became the leading candidate when Bobby Bonilla was traded to the New York Mets for reliever Mel Rojas in November, and then Beltre played well in winter ball.

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General Manager Kevin Malone and Manager Davey Johnson addressed the team before workouts began, laying the foundation for the upcoming season.

“The bottom line is it’s all about winning,” Malone said in a private 30-minute meeting. “It’s amazing what you can achieve as a team when no one cares who gets the credit. It’s about responsibility to your teammates, it’s about having the desire to be the best you can be, paying the price, working hard.

“Everyone reaps the rewards when you win and everyone prospers. It was just about encouragement. I told them what my expectations and goals are, and we talked about our plans. We’re leaving nothing to chance. As of today, we set the tone for our future.”

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Team officials are pleased by the attitude of left fielder Gary Sheffield, who is determined to succeed at his new position.

“It’s not about me, it’s about helping the Dodgers win,” said Sheffield, who is coming off ankle and shoulder surgery. “I’m going to do everything I can to try and get comfortable out there.”

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Closer Jeff Shaw is the only player who has not reported. He remains at his off-season home in Washington Court House, Ohio, while he and his wife, Julie, await the birth of their third child. Shaw is doing his regular throwing exercises.