Finley Has Tracy’s Number

Newly acquired center fielder Steve Finley found a surprise in his locker when he walked into the Dodger clubhouse Tuesday afternoon. Finley saw a set of jerseys with the number 12 on them -- the number previously worn by Manager Jim Tracy.

Finley wore Paul Lo Duca’s old No. 16 jersey Sunday in his first game with the team. Players often give up their number to an accomplished new teammate, but it is rare when a manager does such a thing.

Finley, who has worn No. 12 since he joined the Houston Astros in 1991, was appreciative of the gestures by Tracy and Milton Bradley, who moved to right field to accommodate the two-time All-Star.

“It seems like everybody is making sacrifices for whatever makes the team better,” he said. “I’ve been wearing it since I’ve been in the National League. A number to me is just a number. It’s not unusually important.”

Tracy will wear No. 16 for the remainder of the season, perhaps as a symbolic nod to the departed Lo Duca, who was traded to the Florida Marlins on Friday. On Tuesday, he remembered when his decision to hand the starting catcher job to the then-unproven Lo Duca was met with quizzical looks.

“It raised a lot of eyebrows,” Tracy said. “I just felt very strongly from what I saw of him in the two years I was coach. Somebody had to give him an opportunity to show what he was all about. He took it from there.”

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It hasn’t escaped Lo Duca that he’ll get his first crack at his former team this month. The Marlins play the first of three in Los Angeles on Aug. 16.

“I want to go back in there and kick their butts,” said Lo Duca, who spent his first 11-plus pro seasons in the Dodger organization. “I’ll tell you that much. And am I rooting against them? Yeah, wouldn’t you? I want this team to win right here and I could care less what else happens as long as we get to the playoffs.

“Everybody in that organization that I dealt with in some capacity was a big part of my career. I have a lot of friends over there and I wish them the best of luck, except when I play them.”

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Tracy said Jayson Werth could see some time behind the plate, but only if he can handle the workload.... Rookie right-hander Edwin Jackson threw 60 pitches in a bullpen session and Tracy said “he felt fine” afterward. Jackson, who threw 32 pitches in a session Thursday, has been on the disabled list since July 17 because of a strained right forearm.... Hideo Nomo, who has been on the disabled list since July 1 because of inflammation in his right rotator cuff, will throw to batters for the first time today as he tries to build up his velocity. The Dodgers hope to send the right-hander to triple-A Las Vegas for a rehabilitation assignment in the next two weeks.

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Times wire services contributed to this report.