Demoted Loney Is Upbeat

First baseman James Loney’s three whirlwind weeks with the Dodgers are over. Today he can tell his buddies with the triple-A Las Vegas 51s all about it.

Then he’ll get to work and try to improve enough so the next time he comes up, it might be to stay. Loney hit .225 in 40 at-bats filling in for the injured Nomar Garciaparra, each trip to the plate a learning experience.

“I know I need to stay consistent,” he said. “I need to make adjustments quicker, after every pitch instead of between games.”

Although Loney’s defense was superb, he didn’t hit the ball particularly hard. Several of his hits came on bloopers.

Still, he is hardly dejected.

“I felt like I belong,” he said.

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Although power-hitting prospect Joel Guzman was converted from shortstop to left field during the spring, he played first base at Las Vegas during Loney’s absence. Guzman will return to left field today, but the Dodgers might not hesitate to bring him up to play first the next time a need arises.

In 16 games, Guzman is batting .292 with three home runs and 13 runs batted in. However, he has struck out 21 times and, according to a scout, is making solid contact primarily when a pitcher makes a mistake.

Outfielder Andre Ethier, acquired during the off-season for Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez, is off to a great start at Las Vegas, batting .411. Infielder Willy Aybar is also hot, batting .403 with five homers.

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Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials have recommended against establishing a shuttle bus service between Metro Rail stations and Dodger Stadium, saying it would be expensive and difficult to staff.

The MTA board inquired about launching the service from Metro Red, Gold and Blue line stations to ease automobile traffic around the stadium. A study showed that the service would cost the MTA about $650,000 a season, even if fans were charged $4 per round trip.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich -- a member of the MTA board -- wants to keep the idea alive and asked staff to explore a partnership with private companies. Another report is due in May.

The Dodgers scuttled a shuttle service a few years ago because of poor participation. Dodger spokeswoman Camille Johnston said the team has not heard from the MTA, but is interested in seeing the proposal.

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The Dodgers will make three of the first 31 selections in the June amateur draft. Their top pick is the seventh overall, and they also get the 26th and 31st picks as compensation for the Angels’ signing of free-agent pitcher Jeff Weaver.

General Manager Ned Colletti has been scouting top prospects, watching UCLA and Long Beach State play in the last few days. He will not accompany the Dodgers to Houston because he plans to do more scouting.