Signing Boone Is Under Consideration

Moving to address infield concerns, the Dodgers are among the clubs strongly considering signing free-agent Aaron Boone.

General Manager Paul DePodesta said Tuesday he has had talks with agent Adam Katz about Boone, whom the New York Yankees released after he injured his left knee playing basketball Jan. 16.

Although DePodesta downplayed his interest in the versatile Boone, others in the organization said DePodesta believes the right-handed batter would be a good fit at second base this season. Moreover, signing Boone to a multiyear contract could provide an insurance policy for next season, considering third baseman Adrian Beltre, off to the best start of his career, could become a free agent and might not return.

“There are always things you consider to improve your club, and he’s a veteran player,” DePodesta said.

Boone would provide an upgrade on offense at second, Dodger officials said, but signing him could affect the club’s flexibility to make other moves. And the Dodgers are expected to face competition from other clubs for Boone, whom the Yankees would have paid $5.75 million this season.

The process is expected to heat up in June as Boone moves closer to returning from rehabilitation. He hopes to resume playing in August.

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Wilson Alvarez has finally rejoined the rotation.

The pitcher who many in the clubhouse believed should have opened the season as a starter is scheduled to start Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, taking the fifth starter’s spot and bumping Jose Lima to the bullpen.

“Lima showed in spring training he was doing the job, so he deserved the shot,” Alvarez said. “They’re giving me the shot now, so I have to go out there and get my job done.”

Manager Jim Tracy said Alvarez, who had excelled in the bullpen, also would start May 14 against the Cincinnati Reds. In announcing the change, Tracy said he wanted to have the left-handed Alvarez in the rotation because of matchups against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. But Lima struggled in his last start (five innings, seven hits, four runs) and Alvarez has given up only four earned runs in 16 2/3 innings.

“I’m not happy about being in the bullpen, but ... this is a team that is playing together,” Lima said. “It’s a different ballclub than the last couple of years, and they say that I’m the reason, because I bring a lot of excitement to the clubhouse. It feels good to get that credit.”

Alvarez shined after joining the rotation last season, winning six consecutive decisions, in 10 starts, with a 1.39 earned-run average during that span. He had a scoreless streak of 25 innings.