This May Become a Side Issue

The rib cage injury that kept Nomar Garciaparra from playing Monday could be minor, noteworthy only because it kept the first baseman from making his Dodger debut on opening day.

Or it could be something more serious, something nagging that causes Garciaparra to go on the disabled list and creates an opportunity for top prospect James Loney.

Loney played in double A last season and is set to begin the season at triple-A Las Vegas. He led the Dodgers with a .438 batting average during the spring and has an exceptional glove.

General Manager Ned Colletti has options besides promoting Loney but said that would be the most probable scenario if Garciaparra is out more than a few days. Colletti said a decision could be reached this morning and a player could arrive from Las Vegas by game time.

Garciaparra had a variety of treatments during the game and said he wouldn’t know until today whether there was improvement.

The injury occurred Sunday, but Colletti didn’t learn about it until Monday morning. Garciaparra felt a twinge during batting practice, then felt it again when he hit a foul ball during the game against the Angels.

“I’ll take [Monday] off and see how it goes,” he said. “It’s definitely frustrating. When it happened, I wanted to have treatment and see how it felt. You don’t want to make a quick judgment. I was hoping it would feel better, but it was still sore when I woke up.”

The Dodgers do not want to use Olmedo Saenz at first base for an extended period because he is their best right-handed pinch-hitter. It appears they would not hesitate to promote Loney.

“I told several kids going to the minor leagues we’d just as soon have them on the ballclub,” Manager Grady Little said.

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Despite the uncertainty surrounding Garciaparra and the leg injury that put center fielder Kenny Lofton on the disabled list, the Dodgers will stay with 12 pitchers rather than replacing one with an additional position player.

“We made a decision to go with 12 for a reason, and we won’t sway from that decision at the start of the season,” Little said.

The primary reason is the limited availability of closer Eric Gagne, who is recovering from elbow surgery. It is unclear whether he can pitch on consecutive days.

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Saenz struck out three times and left seven runners on base in his first four at-bats before delivering a two-run single in the eighth inning. It was hard to hit with tears welling in his eyes.

“It was a very emotional day for me,” he said. “I’ve played baseball for 16 years, and before the game on every opening day I got a call from my mom. This year was different.”

Saenz’s mother, Carmen, died in Panama a few days before spring training started. He played in the World Baseball Classic in her honor.

“I missed her call,” he said. “It hit me pretty hard.”

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Lofton said he was hesitant to go on the disabled list until trainers reminded him the first trip will be to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where it is expected to be cold.

“They don’t want to take a chance,” he said. “I understand that.”