Thurston Is Still Fuzzy

Early in spring training, Manager Jim Tracy envisioned a Dodger middle-infield “rotation” of rookie second baseman Joe Thurston, shortstop Cesar Izturis and utility man Alex Cora.

The hope was that Thurston would emerge as the clear choice at second, enabling the versatile Cora to split time between the positions, strengthening what should be an improved bench. Although Thurston has batted only .184 with a .277 on-base percentage, the Dodgers believe the plan is still on track.

“That’s really not a concern when you know a player’s history and his makeup,” General Manager Dan Evans said of Thurston, selected the club’s top minor leaguer in 2000 and 2002.

“We’re very familiar with Joe. We know about his ability and his work ethic, so we’re not as focused on [statistics] in the spring as we would be with some players. And you have to deal with growing pains or you would never give anyone a chance.”

Of course, Thurston would rather be producing more.

“Obviously, I would like to do better ... but it’s not even the season yet,” said Thurston, hitless in one at-bat Wednesday in a 1-0 loss to the Montreal Expos at Space Coast Stadium.

“The biggest thing is that I’m trying to make the team. I feel comfortable [at the plate] and I’m doing the right things as far as the different situations I’m facing. I’m getting my walks when I need to and getting on base when necessary. I never want to look at my stats, even when I’m playing well, so that’s the attitude I’m taking now.”

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The Dodgers were smiling after Kevin Brown had his best outing of the spring, pitching six scoreless innings against the Expos.

In 90-degree heat and stifling humidity, Brown gave up three singles, struck out eight and walked none, throwing 50 strikes in 69 pitches during his longest outing.

“Awesome,” said catcher Todd Hundley, Brown’s batterymate for the first time this spring. “Had everything going: hard split, spotting his fastball, ball was moving everywhere and working ahead.

“He looked like he looked when I was with him before [in 1999-2000]. The control was there, he was throwing hard and the splits were just nasty. You know, you’re Kevin Brown.”

The former staff ace, whose fastball was clocked in the mid-90s, lowered his earned-run average from 0.90 to 0.56. In 16 innings, Brown has 19 strikeouts without a walk.

“It was his best stuff in maybe two years,” pitching coach Jim Colborn said. “Better velocity, real consistent delivery, great movement on all his pitches, good control and good pace to his pitching.

“It allowed you to have some optimism.... For the first time, I could enjoy some optimism about it. It was very exciting.”

It was even too good for a perfectionist like Brown to downgrade.

“It felt better than it felt in a long time,” he said. “That’s the best rhythm that I’ve felt.”

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Closer Eric Gagne, who has thrown only two-plus innings this spring, pitched in a minor league game at Dodgertown.

Sidelined two weeks by a sprained lower back, he worked on his mechanics in a low-stress environment after having been struck with a line drive on his right calf during Monday’s 4-1 loss to the Expos at Holman Stadium. Gagne threw mostly fastballs and changeups in two innings, giving up one hit, striking out three and walking one.

“I think I had some good zip on the ball,” said Gagne, whose fastball was clocked at 95 mph. “I was a little bit out of whack [mechanically], but it’s just a matter of throwing. A couple of more outings, I’ll be where I need to be.”

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A major league official said appeals of disciplinary action against New York Met catcher Mike Piazza and Dodger reliever Guillermo Mota, fined and suspended five games each for their roles in last week’s bench-clearing brawl, probably would not be heard until after the regular season begins, enabling the players to start the season on the roster.

The Mets want Piazza to appeal and delay his suspension. The Dodgers would rather Mota began serving his suspension.