Beltre Might Be Facing Long Recovery Process

Adrian Beltre began rehabilitation Thursday at Dodgertown after undergoing an emergency appendectomy in the Dominican Republic, then getting an infection and losing 24 pounds.

It could be a long process.

The third baseman is not able to eat solid food or exercise strenuously, and it is unclear when he will participate in drills.

The Dodgers are optimistic because of Beltre’s youth and athleticism, but Beltre, 21, acknowledged he is concerned, having spent about a month in the hospital.

“I was a little scared because things weren’t looking too good,” he said. “I tried to stay positive but it was tough. They said it was supposed to be a simple surgery but it got pretty ugly.

“I was worried because I never had been through anything like that before. I don’t know how long [recovery] will take because, like I said, I’ve never been through that. I just hope to be ready by the start of the season.”

Beltre, who batted .290 last season with 20 home runs, 30 doubles and 85 runs batted in, has been walking on a treadmill since the Dodgers had him transferred from a hospital in the Dominican Republic to Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood so that team physician Michael Mellman could treat him.

Beltre, who has a drainage bag attached to his stomach, played catch with physical therapist Pat Screnar as pitchers and catchers participated in the first workout under new Manager Jim Tracy.

Beltre hopes he can begin jogging in a few days, and end his monthlong liquid diet in a week.

“When you spend most of January and February in the hospital and [your weight drops from 216 to 192], you just want to get better,” he said. “I just stayed positive and got lucky.”

Beltre said he is feeling stronger, having weighed in recently at 197 pounds, and is confident he will recover sooner than later.

But he has no timetable, and the Dodgers said they will not push him.

“He’s definitely a big part of our team, but we’re just going to have to take it slow on his rehab,” General Manager Kevin Malone said. “If he was older, [his recovery time] would be a little more of a concern, but he is young and such a good athlete.

“We know what Adrian can do. This gives us an opportunity to see what some other guys can do.”

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Tracy focused on “attention to detail” in his first team meeting before Thursday’s drills, stressing defense, execution and selflessness.

“There’s going to be a lot of emphasis put on things like that,” Tracy said, repeating themes that Chairman Bob Daly and Malone also consider important. “We have to make sure that’s just as important as the big picture because it’s all a part of the big picture.

“We have to make sure that when we’re between those lines, we’re between those lines to work. We just don’t want to see [players] being casual with anything, whether it’s picking up a bunt or making a throw to a base.”

Malone wore a wide grin as he watched Tracy and the coaches work.

“I know what Jim Tracy can do and I know what he’s all about,” Malone said. “Jim is totally committed to winning and making the sacrifice to win.

“I see a partner in Jim. I see someone I know I can trust.”

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The Dodgers might have 12 pitchers on the opening-day roster, instead of the customary 11, even after expected trades.

The club has a surplus of right-handed relievers, so Antonio Osuna might be available.

Mike Judd, once considered the Dodgers’ top pitching prospect, is out of options and behind Eric Gagne and Luke Prokopec in the club’s plans.

Payroll concerns, injuries and roster makeup will help determine whether Osuna and Judd remain with the Dodgers.

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Tracy is impressed with nonroster pitcher Jesse Orosco, baseball’s all-time appearance leader with 1,096. Orosco, 43, is competing with many candidates for a left-hander’s role in the bullpen. . . . The Dodgers and the agent for reliever Terry Adams are trying to reach a contract settlement, hoping to avoid arbitration. Adams is seeking a one-year, $2.6-million contract. The club has offered $1.95 million. Sources said the sides are also moving toward a multi-year contract. . . . Pitcher Kevin Brown was baseball’s highest-paid player last season with a salary of $15,814,286. . . . Pitcher Ramon Martinez is expected to report to Dodgertown this weekend.