Valentin Might Move to Outfield

The questionable platoon at third base the Dodgers employed at the start of the season could be resurrected -- in left field.

The Dodgers are considering moving infielder Jose Valentin to left field when he returns from the disabled list and are giving Antonio Perez a crash course at the position.

The emergence of Oscar Robles as an everyday player is prompting the moves. Robles, who is batting .350, moved from shortstop to third base when Cesar Izturis came off the disabled list last week and is entrenched as the leadoff batter.

Manager Jim Tracy is hesitant to ask second baseman Jeff Kent to move to first base unless the team is in the thick of the pennant race, leaving no place to play Perez, who is batting .320.

“I don’t have a spot for him,” Tracy said. “It’s unfortunate, but that’s the truth.”

Valentin, who has played only 25 games in the outfield in his 14-year career, also would be without a position when he finishes his triple-A rehabilitation assignment.

Moving him to left field “is something that would be an interesting part of a discussion, yes,” Tracy said. “We are talking about it.”

Valentin, a switch-hitter, said a week ago he would hit exclusively from the left side to reduce pressure on his right knee. He was batting .194 with two home runs in 67 at-bats when he injured the knee sliding into the plate May 3.

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Although Tracy would not rule out center fielder Milton Bradley joining the team in New York on Friday, front-office officials said a more realistic timetable is the beginning of a homestand Monday.

Bradley, a switch-hitter who has been on the disabled list since May 30 because of a torn ligament in his right ring finger, has not had many at-bats from the left side because he has faced mostly left-handed pitchers since beginning his rehabilitation assignment Friday at triple-A Las Vegas.

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Wilson Alvarez, activated from the disabled list Tuesday, will pitch only in short relief. The 35-year-old left-hander has been an effective spot starter throughout his three years on the Dodgers, but Tracy wants to minimize the risk of another shoulder injury.... Tracy was visited by his son, Brian, a UC Santa Barbara pitcher who is playing in a collegiate wood-bat league in Maryland.... The Dodgers signed 14th-round pick Scott Van Slyke, an outfielder and the son of former major leaguer Andy Van Slyke.... Glenn Hoffman wore a helmet while coaching third base for the first time since he was struck in the face during batting practice a month ago.