Players Standing Behind Tracy

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- The Dodgers rallied around Manager Jim Tracy in response to comments made by Chicago Cub infielder Mark Grudzielanek, saying Thursday they have turned the page and their former teammate should as well.

In Wednesday’s editions of The Times, Grudzielanek, traded Dec. 4 to the Cubs in a four-player deal, said he was “shocked and hurt” when Tracy accused him of being a selfish player in what became a late-season shouting match in Arizona.

Tracy took the high road, maintaining his policy of keeping his discussions with players private. That was good enough for the Dodgers.

“That’s their personal thing, just between Trace and Grud,” left fielder Brian Jordan said. “That doesn’t bother us as a team. We can’t worry about that stuff because it’s in the past. It’s a new year and we’re moving forward.

“That’s something they have to work out -- if they ever work it out. It happened between them last year, so be it. Everybody who’s here is excited, so we have to take care of our own.”

Catcher Paul Lo Duca, who shares an agent with Grudzielanek, is disappointed the shouting match became public.

“ ‘Selfish’ to anybody is not a good word, especially this being such a team game,” Lo Duca said. “I understand Grud is a little upset, but he should just let it rest.

“I love Grud as a friend and a player, but just end it. You don’t need to take shots at anybody. Obviously, we’re going to stand behind our manager.”

Despite friction in the clubhouse last season, All-Star right fielder Shawn Green said the Dodgers are not dysfunctional.

“It’s like a family,” Green said. “We’re together for 7 1/2 months, there’s obviously going to be situations that come up, so we try to take care of it like a family.

“Teams that can take care of things on their own, without letting it get out of control in the papers, are teams that have the most success. It was a problem [in the past], it was a circus, but it hasn’t been like that the last couple of years. And it won’t be like that again.”

*

Left-hander Derek Thompson, a Rule 5 draft selection who has suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament on his left elbow, will undergo surgery soon and be sidelined for the season. Thompson, 22, will remain on the 40-man roster while rehabilitating and be paid the major league minimum of $300,000.... Right-hander Andy Ashby (lower back stiffness) played catch and may resume full workouts today.