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Navarro Believes in the Fast Track

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Times Staff Writer

Dioner Navarro turned 21 this month, but he feels he grew up a long time ago.

Navarro, the promising catcher acquired from the New York Yankees in the trade that sent Shawn Green to the Arizona Diamondbacks, met a woman four years his senior on the Internet at 17 and married her a year later. He has been a father to her son, now 6.

But the real test of Navarro’s maturity came 17 months ago when his wife, Shirley, suffered an aneurysm on their first anniversary and nearly died. Following several brain surgeries, it appears she has fully recovered, although she might continue to need medical procedures.

Navarro considers it a miracle.

“I feel incredibly fortunate,” he said. “It was a big scare, something we’ll never forget.”

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His attention this week has turned to impressing his new team. Navarro was the key element in the trade, and he knows the Dodgers have long coveted him.

“I talked to the owner, and he said they’ve tried to get me since the Kevin Brown trade,” he said.

Navarro’s stock had fallen in the estimation of the Yankees, and Baseball America dropped him from their No. 1 prospect after the 2003 season to No. 5 this off-season. He battled a weight problem last year, but Dodger coaches say he reported to camp in good condition.

“I’m still not in the best shape,” he said. “I will be. I’m working on it a little bit.”

A switch-hitter with an excellent arm and solid receiving skills, Navarro is battling for the distinction of Dodger catcher of the future with prospect Russell Martin. Their lockers are next to each other, and they already have forged a friendship.

“I really like both of those guys,” General Manager Paul DePodesta said. “It’s going to be exciting watching them compete for jobs.”

David Ross and Paul Bako are expected to open the season as the Dodger catchers. Navarro, though, doesn’t want to wait.

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“I don’t think about being in triple-A,” he said. “I’m here to make the big league team. I want to be in the big leagues.”

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The Dodgers spent more than $3.5 million to repair Dodgertown from the two hurricanes that hit Vero Beach in September. Most of the work has been done, although a new scoreboard at Holman Stadium won’t be installed for a few days.

“It took a while to get bids and for the insurance company to approve the bids,” said Craig Callan, Dodger vice president in charge of the facility. “There was so much devastation throughout Florida.”

All eight light towers were replaced, and roofs on every building except the new clubhouse had to be repaired or replaced.

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J.D. Drew, the outfielder signed to a five-year, $55-million contract, has had a severe case of flu but is expected to report Wednesday along with other position players.... Pitcher Giovanni Carrara has a slightly pulled quadriceps but is practicing.

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