Roster Spot Is Reward for Bocachica

Rookie utility player Hiram Bocachica is headed for Chavez Ravine.

Bocachica, 25, has opened eyes, impressing Manager Jim Tracy, coaches and players, and prompted General Manager Kevin Malone to revise the opening-day roster.

He has seized an opportunity to fulfill a dream, and the Dodgers said they will benefit too.

“The young man has been outstanding,” Tracy said. “He’s making a statement, and that makes you take notice.”

Bocachica is batting .250 with three home runs and six runs batted in after going hitless in two at-bats in Friday’s 3-2 victory over the Montreal Expos at Dodgertown.

He has played well in center field and has been better than expected at third base. He had never played third before but the Dodgers are considering using him there because Adrian Beltre might be sidelined for two months after having abdominal surgery twice since January.

A native of Puerto Rico, Bocachica said he wondered if he would ever be in such a position.

The Expos selected Bocachica in the first round of the 1994 amateur draft, and he was a Class A all-star in ‘95, when he batted .284 with 47 stolen bases, 20 doubles and 10 triples.

But Bocachica was slowed by elbow injuries after that season, and the Expos included him in the seven-player 1998 trade that also brought Mark Grudzielanek and pitcher Carlos Perez to the Dodgers.

“I had some good seasons with Montreal, but it just didn’t work out,” Bocachica said. “When you’re playing baseball, you can’t think about who you’re playing for, you just have to play and hope you get a chance.”

He was productive for double-A San Antonio in ’99 after moving from center to second base, having batted .291 with 11 homers, 10 triples, 60 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

Last season, Bocachica batted .324 with 23 homers, 38 doubles, 84 RBIs and 99 runs in 124 games for triple-A Albuquerque.

A September promotion to Los Angeles inspired confidence, and Bocachica now believes he is ready.

“A lot of the veteran guys say I deserve to be here, and that means a lot to me,” he said. “I just want to make this team and do anything I can to help us win a championship.

“Whatever Trace wants from me, I’m ready to do.”

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The Dodgers still have not received acceptable offers for Gary Sheffield, baseball executives said, leading many to believe the club has already decided to keep the apologetic left fielder.

An executive from one club involved in trade discussions said teams were willing to acquire Sheffield only at a discounted price, adding that the Dodgers have not been aggressive in seeking proposals since the six-time all-star fired Jim Neader and hired Scott Boras as his agent.

Derrick Hall, senior vice president, said the club is still considering its options, but Sheffield is expected to be in the lineup April 2 against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium.

Malone plans to speak with Brian Cashman, his New York Yankee counterpart, today about trading Sheffield when the Dodgers play the Yankees at Tampa.

A source familiar with the Yankees’ thinking said the club would love to have Sheffield’s bat but is wary because of the fuss he’s created. The source said the Yankees might be willing to include their top prospect, Alfonso Soriano, in a Sheffield trade but would not also give up two or three other prospects, stripping their farm system.

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Left-hander Jose Antonio Nunez, selected from the New York Mets in the Rule 5 draft, has been impressive and is expected to make the team, which could be bad news for right-hander Gregg Olson.

Olson, guaranteed $2.25 million, may be traded to make room for Nunez, who must remain on the 25-man roster or be offered to the Mets for $25,000.

In three appearances, Nunez, 22, has no record, a 3.60 earned-run average and a save.

Nunez, whose fastball has been clocked at 94 mph, has exhibited poise and good command, Tracy said.

Olson, 34, sat out most of last season because of a right forearm strain. He is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four games.

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Rookie catcher Angel Pena might be with the team to start the season.

Beltre and infielder Dave Hansen are expected to begin the season on the disabled list, so the Dodgers are strongly considering carrying three catchers.

Chad Kreuter and Paul LoDuca are already on the team.

In his best performance of the spring, right-hander Andy Ashby gave up six hits, a two-run homer and struck out six in six innings. . . . Closer Jeff Shaw (1-1) pitched the seventh to get the victory. . . . Mike Fetters pitched a perfect ninth for his second save. . . . F.P. Santangelo had a run-scoring double and Alex Cora a run-scoring single in the Dodgers’ three-run seventh.