Green Won’t Be Asked to Move to First

Although the Dodgers might soon face an outfield logjam, Manager Jim Tracy said Sunday struggling right fielder Shawn Green would not be asked to move to first base.

“I don’t think it’s an appropriate subject at this particular time,” Tracy said. “He’s got other things that he’s working on, and I don’t think you need to fill his plate up with more.

“The timing is not real good to broach a subject of putting someone someplace where the comfort level may not be completely there. You want a guy to try to get himself somewhat untracked offensively, and yet in the same breath you’re going to ask him to introduce himself to a new position. That’s not fair.”

With the additions of Rickey Henderson and Jeromy Burnitz, Tracy recently re-floated the idea of asking Green to accept a position change, because there would be only three positions for four outfielders when center fielder Dave Roberts is activated from the disabled list.

Roberts is scheduled to begin a three-game rehabilitation assignment Tuesday with the Dodger rookie-league team in Ogden, Utah. If Roberts’ right hamstring responds well, he might rejoin the club Friday for a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark.

But what happens once Roberts is ready?

Henderson already has accomplished more than the Dodgers could have imagined when they signed the 44-year-old future Hall of Famer from the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League.

Burnitz provides power for a light-hitting lineup, and Tracy has determined Green doesn’t need more to worry about while in a season-long slump. Burnitz is playing out of position in center, so Roberts should reclaim the job.

“We don’t know how his leg is going to be,” Tracy said of Roberts. “It might be something where it can’t be every day, and it might be in his best interest initially, and for a period of time, to find spots to give that leg a day off.”

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Tracy said Henderson would continue to bat leadoff once Roberts returns, moving Roberts to No. 2 in the order.

That’s fine with Roberts, considering Henderson is the best leadoff hitter of all time.

“I don’t think anyone feels threatened, and that’s a great thing,” Roberts said. “If we’re going to win [the National League West], we’re both going to have to be integral parts of this thing.”

Henderson, who refers to Roberts as “Robinson,” said everything should be fine.

“I’m all open for it, because I’ve been around,” Henderson said. “I know the game plan, and I know what you’ve got to do in certain [situations].”

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St. Louis left fielder Albert Pujols became the fourth player in major league history to reach 100 career home runs in his first three seasons. Hall of Famers Ralph Kiner, Eddie Mathews and Joe DiMaggio are the others.

Pujols reached the mark in the fourth inning of Sunday’s 10-7 victory over the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, connecting on a two-run shot to center against starter Odalis Perez.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- Colorado Rockies, four games.

Site -- Dodger Stadium.

Tonight -- 7.

TV -- Channel 13 tonight, Fox Sports Net 2 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Radio -- KFWB (980), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Dodgers 51-46, Rockies 50-51.

Record vs. Rockies -- 4-5.

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- Hideo Nomo (10-8, 2.85) vs. Jason Jennings (9-7, 4.94).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Kazuhisa Ishii (9-3, 3.11) vs. Darren Oliver (7-6, 4.95).

Thursday, noon -- Kevin Brown (10-5, 2.26) vs. Shawn Chacon (11-5, 4.43).