Braves Need a Shortstop and Are Interested in Gil

Benji Gil would like to be an everyday shortstop, and the Atlanta Braves may provide just the opportunity he is looking for.

With young shortstop Rafael Furcal possibly out for the season after dislocating his left shoulder sliding into second base Friday night, the Braves are now in the market for a shortstop, and Gil, the Angel utility player, is believed to be high on their list.

Rookie Mark DeRosa replaced Furcal this weekend, but with the Braves in the thick of the National League East race, they would like more of a veteran presence. They are also expected to pursue Colorado’s Neifi Perez.

Gil, however, could be more attractive because he wouldn’t cost the Braves much in return. Atlanta may be willing to part with outfielder Marcus Giles, who is batting .306 with four homers and 37 runs batted in in 49 games for triple-A Richmond.

Gil enjoyed the first multiple-homer game of his career Saturday night and is batting .340 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 147 at-bats. He’s also a solid defensive player. Gil, who makes $350,000, opened the season as the starting shortstop but lost his job in April to David Eckstein. The possibility of going to the perennially contending Braves intrigued him.

“That situation would be inviting to anyone in my situation who believes he can play on an everyday basis and contribute to a team,” said Gil, who started at first base Saturday.

After pounding Mike Holtz’s first pitch to the upper deck in right field for a two-run homer in the seventh inning Friday, Colorado right fielder Larry Walker is batting .446 (25 for 56) with seven homers, 27 RBIs and a .929 slugging percentage when putting the first pitch in play this season.

Holtz said he was unaware Walker was such a prolific first-pitch hitter, but he probably wouldn’t change his approach.

“He’s such a selective hitter, I don’t think he’d swing at a first pitch in the dirt,” Holtz said. “Then you’re behind, 1-0, in the count. I just have to put the first pitch in a better spot.”

TODAY

ANGELS’

PAT RAPP

(2-9, 4.63 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’

SHAWN CHACON

(4-4, 5.30 ERA)

Coors Field, Denver, noon.

TV--Channel 9. Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

Update--Larry Walker’s throwing elbow flared up Saturday, and he did not start for the Rockies but was available to pinch-hit. He is not expected to start today and will only be available to pinch-hit in Tuesday’s All-Star game. Angel catcher Bengie Molina, sore from taking a foul tip in the right shoulder Friday, did not start Saturday.