Navarro Is One Option

The Dodgers are mulling over whether to call up top catching prospect Dioner Navarro to fill the void left by Paul Bako, who will have surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament on his left knee Friday and is lost for the season.

Navarro, acquired in the off-season trade that sent Shawn Green to Arizona, spent five days with the Dodgers after Bako went on the disabled list May 27 but did not play.

Rookie Mike Rose, a journeyman minor leaguer, was brought up to back up Jason Phillips when Navarro was sent back to triple-A Las Vegas.

Rose, a switch-hitter, is two for 12 and has done a credible job behind the plate.

However, now that Bako is out, the Dodgers might want Navarro to become acclimated to the major leagues without the pressure of playing every day. Navarro, 21, is batting .303 with a .408 on-base percentage at Las Vegas and has been especially hot recently.

“Rose has done a nice job receiving for us and at this point I’m comfortable with him,” General Manager Paul DePodesta said.

Bako, who turned 33 on Monday, was 10 for 40 with two doubles and four runs batted in.

He is making $650,000 and is under contract only through this season.

*

The Dodgers have signed infielder Ivan DeJesus Jr., their second-round selection in the first-year player draft, to a $675,000 signing bonus. Seven of the team’s top 10 picks have been signed, but negotiations with pitcher and top pick Luke Hochevar are progressing slowly.