Green Hopes to Stay With Club

Optimistic about the on-field direction of the Dodgers, first baseman Shawn Green said Wednesday he hoped to finish his career with the club.

“I’d love to do that,” Green said. “I think we’ve got some good things going on with the team, and it would be great for me and my family to stay here.

“I just want to go out, have a good year and get to the playoffs

Green, whose six-year, $84-million contract expires after next season, said he was impressed with new General Manager Paul DePodesta, who acquired switch-hitting center fielder Milton Bradley on the eve of the regular season.

Green had been frustrated that the previous regime failed to acquire another impact hitter after trading Gary Sheffield to Atlanta in January 2002. He said he was pleased DePodesta seized an opportunity to get a player of Bradley’s potential.

“It’s definitely a move that helps us,” Green said. “It makes us better.”

DePodesta is pleased Green is upbeat about the team.

“It’s great to hear that that caliber of player wants to be here,” DePodesta said. “It speaks volumes about where we are right now organizationally, and where I think our players feel like we’re headed.

“In terms of the immediacy [of Green’s situation], we have a lot of guys who are on one-year situations. We’ll probably be dealing with their situations before we get to that situation, but it’s very encouraging to hear.”

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Jose Lima is eager to start Saturday against the San Francisco Giants at SBC Park, saying he plans to remain in the rotation.

“I’m going to do my job and stay in there,” said Lima, who might secure the fifth starter’s spot with a strong outing. “I worked hard to get here and I want to stay in this spot. That’s all I’m thinking about.”

A 21-game winner and National League All-Star with Houston in 1999, Lima revived his career with Kansas City last season, going 8-3 with a 4.91 earned-run average in 14 starts. The flamboyant right-hander has been a positive force out of the bullpen and in the clubhouse for the Dodgers.

Manager Jim Tracy said Lima would be limited to 75 to 90 pitches.

“He could throw 60 pitches and look up and be in the seventh inning,” Tracy said. “There’s no telling with Jose Lima.”

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Right fielder Juan Encarnacion’s error in the fourth inning Wednesday was his first in 228 games, ending the longest streak in the major leagues among position players.