Sheffield Finished in Florida

Concerned about further aggravating his injured left hand, Dodger outfielder Gary Sheffield said Saturday that he won’t play much, if at all, in the club’s remaining 11 Grapefruit League games.

Instead, the all-star left fielder plans to play in the Dodgers’ final two exhibition games against the Toronto Blue Jays at SkyDome.

“That’s what I’m shooting for right now,” said Sheffield, who suffered a deep cut on his pinky finger and a badly bruised ring finger while sliding headfirst into third base Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“Probably [only playing] the last couple of games would be best. I don’t want to take a chance and make it worse, but I don’t want to go into the season cold.

“If I don’t play any more [in Florida], I would need a couple of games to get my timing back. I should be in those last two games, so I’ve got it in my mind to go and play in Toronto.”

Sheffield needed three stitches to close a gash opened on his pinky. His ring finger didn’t bother him much Friday, but it was swollen and purple when he awoke Saturday morning.

Sheffield is batting .261 (12 for 23) with one home run and four runs batted in. Last spring, he had only 35 at-bats while battling a painful shoulder injury.

“I’d rather he get it well [than keep playing],” Manager Davey Johnson said. “His timing has never been a problem, so let’s just get him better.”

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Rookie pitcher Eric Gagne is 0-1 with a 15.58 earned-run average, stirring questions about his standing on the club.

The right-hander began spring training in the starting rotation on the strength of his brief September audition last season. Gagne went 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA and had four quality starts in five outings.

But the aggressive Gagne has struggled with his command in exhibition games, walking six in 8 2/3 innings. And he has been pounded, giving up 17 hits--including three homers--and 15 earned runs.

The Dodgers are giddy about Gagne because of his arm and heart, but he simply hasn’t pitched well in three appearances.

Johnson believes Gagne has been trying to impress too much, putting pressure on himself. General Manager Kevin Malone has told Gagne to just relax, and Johnson and Malone support him.

But they are facing difficult roster decisions.

Shortstop Kevin Elster, catcher Chad Kreuter, reliever Mike Fetters and outfielder Geronimo Berroa, barring injuries, have earned spots on the team.

Left-hander Carlos Perez will be in the rotation--at least for a couple of starts--if he continues to show significant improvement because he’s owed $5 million this season and $7.5 million next. And Johnson wants Orel Hershiser in the rotation.

Although downplaying the scenario, Malone would not rule out optioning Gagne to the minor leagues.

Gagne is scheduled to start Monday against the Florida Marlins at Viera, and how he fares down the stretch might help determine the Dodgers’ opening-day roster.

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Starter Kevin Brown pitched five scoreless innings in a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Lakeland. Brown (1-0) gave up two hits and struck out five.