Gagne Hurts Knee in Drill

Dodger closer Eric Gagne sprained his left knee Thursday during a fielding drill and will have an MRI exam today to determine the extent of the injury.

Gagne said his cleat stuck in the turf, his knee twisted and he “felt a pop.” The knee was examined by Dr. David Schafer, who said the injury is a sprain of the medial collateral ligament, that it appeared mild and there was no swelling. Gagne, who has never been on the disabled list in his six-year career, doesn’t think the injury will sideline him for more than a day or two.

“I iced it right away, and I’m walking on it,” he said.

Trainer Stan Johnston said the pop Gagne felt could have been from scar tissue.

“He was apprehensive during the exam, so it was hard to evaluate,” Johnston said. “Honestly, it will take six weeks for it to heal completely, but he should only have one week of limited activity.”

Gagne, who has 152 saves the last three seasons, wasn’t the only uneasy one.

“It makes you take a deep breath,” Manager Jim Tracy said. “He’s a pretty important piece, as we all know.”

*

New Dodger Jose Valentin is a superior hitter against right-handed pitching and might end up in a platoon at third base with right-handed-hitting Antonio Perez or Norihiro Nakamura.

But until he is told otherwise, Valentin will continue to switch-hit, as he has done his entire 13-year career. The Dodgers want to see what he can do hitting from the right side before asking him to concentrate on hitting left-handed.

“[Coach] Manny Mota saw me when I first came in, and he said, ‘Let’s give it a try,’ ” Valentin said.

Next stop was a meeting with Tracy, who said he wanted Valentin to hit from both sides of the plate in spring training.

Valentin also could be playing more than one position. He has been a shortstop most of his career, so he needs as much time as possible at third during Grapefruit League games. But he also would be the shortstop in case of an injury to Cesar Izturis.

“Jose did remind me that he can play the outfield as well,” Tracy said.

*

San Francisco Giant Manager Felipe Alou named Jason Schmidt as his opening-day starter against the Dodgers on April 5. Tracy has no inclination to name his starter.

“We have several options, and it’s much too early,” he said.

Right-hander Jeff Weaver finished last season as the No. 1 starter. Left-hander Odalis Perez also returns to the rotation, and newcomer Derek Lowe could be considered. Brad Penny would be a longshot because he is coming off an injury to his biceps and is being brought along slowly this spring.

Any of the four could emerge as the No. 1 starter as the season progresses.

“One big factor is how guys line up in subsequent series,” Tracy said. “There’s a lot to consider, and I won’t rush that decision.”

*

Tracy said Jeff Kent would bat cleanup.... Pitchers Elmer Dessens and Mike Venafro did not practice, because of minor leg injuries.... Owner Frank McCourt said he hoped to replace all of the seats at Dodger Stadium after this season. McCourt also said that the current seating renovation would cost $20 million, a $5-million increase over the original budget.