Navarro Gets Call to Take Bako’s Spot

It’s more about salve than saviors, the Dodgers readily admit. Players continue to be summoned from the minors to plug holes created by injuries. But the newcomers aren’t expected to become integral parts of the team -- at least not yet.

Reserve catcher Paul Bako went on the disabled list Friday because of a sprained knee and Dioner Navarro was recalled from triple A. Also, reliever Buddy Carlyle was sent to the minors to make room for left-handed starting pitcher Derek Thompson, who will make his major league debut tonight.

The switch-hitting Navarro, 21, was a prized acquisition of General Manager Paul DePodesta when outfielder Shawn Green was dealt to Arizona in December. Navarro had risen quickly through the New York Yankee farm system and at one time was considered its top prospect.

Last season he fell from grace, but not in the eyes of DePodesta, who believes Navarro will become a full-time major league catcher as soon as next season. For now, Manager Jim Tracy said Jason Phillips would continue to do the bulk of the catching, although he is toying with the idea of starting Navarro on Sunday afternoon.

“He needs to learn the strengths and weaknesses of the hitters we are facing,” Tracy said. “We’d give him the necessary information.”

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Terry Collins, the Dodger player development director, interviewed for the managerial opening with the Kansas City Royals on Friday.

“I was extremely impressed with them,” Collins said to the Kansas City Star. “They’ve really got a plan and believe in it and stand by it.”

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DePodesta has been reluctant to suggest that free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre was not re-signed because his glowing statistics last season might have been an aberration. Friday night, Beltre’s agent said it for him.

In a discussion about the vast amount of money available to players, Scott Boras noted that the free-agent money flowed for starting pitchers--”$7 to $10 million [a year] for guys that no one would consider a No. 1”--and power hitters.

“You’ve got Adrian Beltre, who really had one good year, making similar money to [Angel slugger] Vladimir Guerrero,” he said.

Beltre is batting .239 with five home runs for the Seattle Mariners. He batted .334 with 48 homers last season for the Dodgers.

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Times staff writer Bill Shaikin contributed to this report.

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DODGERS TONIGHT

DODGERS’

DEREK THOMPSON

vs.

DIAMONDBACKS’

JAVIER VAZQUEZ

*--* THE MATCHUP 2005 2004 VS OPP TEAMS/PITCHERS W-L ERA TEAM W-L IP ERA DODGERS/Thompson (L) -- -- -- -- -- -- Arizona/Vazquez (R) 5-3 3.49 6-4 0-1 5.0 3.60

*--*

Bank One Ballpark, 6:30

TV -- Channel 13. Radio -- 980, 1330.

Update -- Thompson made two spring training appearances with the Dodgers, giving up an unearned run in four innings. The left-hander, bothered by a strained calf for more than a week, was tabbed for the start over three candidates from the Dodger bullpen and at least two more at triple-A Las Vegas.

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-- Steve Henson