Rainout Keeps Top Prospect From Playing

The scheduled game against the Washington Nationals on Saturday night was canceled because of rain, depriving the Dodgers of watching their top prospect bat against major league pitching for the first time this spring.

Joel Guzman, a shortstop rated by Baseball America as the No. 5 prospect in the game, had been called up from minor league camp for the day.

Some Dodger coaches and players are puzzled that Guzman, 20, was not asked to major league camp in February. However, General Manager Paul DePodesta resisted the temptation to get a sneak peek at the 6-foot-6 prodigy from the Dominican Republic.

“Joel played winter ball and he needed a break,” DePodesta said. “Also, I didn’t want to create unreal expectations. He needs time to develop.”

Last year, 19-year-old first baseman James Loney was given a long look in spring training, batted .343, fielded spectacularly and stirred speculation that he might make the team.

Not only was Loney not ready for the Dodgers, he batted only .238 with four home runs at double-A Jacksonville.

Guzman probably will begin the season in double A. DePodesta said he will play some third base as well as shortstop. With current third baseman Jose Valentin signed for one year, the Dodgers want several options at the position down the road.

Antonio Perez, who could platoon with Valentin, is at the top of the list. Prospects Willy Aybar and Delwyn Young, both primarily second basemen, also will play some third in the minors this season, DePodesta said.

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Eight players who will begin the season at triple-A Las Vegas were cut, including catcher Dioner Navarro and pitcher Edwin Jackson.

Navarro impressed Dodger brass even though he batted .188 in 16 at-bats. But with the acquisition of Jason Phillips, there is no reason to rush him.

Jackson seemed to get progressively worse during the spring, and his earned-run average was 8.79 in 14 1/3 innings.

Other cuts included infielders Jose Flores, Joe Thurston and Tony Schrager, relief pitchers Aquilino Lopez and Frank Brooks, and outfielder Chin-Feng Chen. Thurston and Chen will be spending their fourth seasons at Las Vegas.

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The Dodgers plan to begin the season with 12 pitchers rather than 11, increasing the chance that Rule 5 pick D.J. Houlton will make the roster rather than be offered back to the Houston Astros. Manager Jim Tracy said Houlton would pitch out of the bullpen if he makes the team.

The four pitchers scheduled for the game that was rained out -- Odalis Perez, Eric Gagne, Yhency Brazoban and Duaner Sanchez -- will pitch against minor leaguers today.