Navarro Falters but Gets Backing

Squatter’s rights last only so long. Despite votes of confidence all around, catcher Dioner Navarro must improve or risk being nudged aside by prospect Russell Martin.

Ideally, the Dodgers want Navarro, 22, to hold the job all season to give Martin ample time to develop at triple-A Las Vegas. Although Martin is a year older than Navarro, he is a converted third baseman who has caught for only three years.

“This is our catcher,” Manager Grady Little said of Navarro during a particularly trying three days at Houston this week.

“We are going to try to make him the best he can be.”

The thought of promoting Martin prematurely and having him fail is frightening to the front office. And a demotion could crush Navarro, leaving the Dodgers with basket cases where prospects once crouched.

That’s why there is little talk yet of Navarro losing his job -- even after a series in which catchable pitches and one-hop throws from the outfield sailed past him.

“Catcher is a very difficult position for a young player,” General Manager Ned Colletti said. “With rare exception it takes time to develop.

“Until we are convinced a change would make us better, Dioner is our No. 1.”

Navarro is 0 for 11 throwing out runners trying to steal and has made poor throws to first after fielding bunts.

His throws have been tailing into the runners, making them worse than ineffective -- teammates trying to catch the ball are in jeopardy of colliding with runners.

Navarro has been working on his throwing mechanics with veteran backup Sandy Alomar Jr.

“I still have to keep working,” Navarro said. “I know what I’m doing wrong, and I’m making an adjustment. I can do better.”

Just as alarmingly, pitches have been getting past him with runners on base and he has mishandled throws from the outfield.

One of his best assets is thought to be a keen eye at the plate, but the switch-hitter has an on-base percentage of only .303 and a batting average of .233.

Assistant general manager Kim Ng remains staunchly behind Navarro, who was acquired by previous general manager Paul DePodesta from the New York Yankees in the three-way deal that sent Shawn Green to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Colletti is less certain. Remember his pursuit of free agent Bengie Molina during the off-season?

One of Colletti’s core philosophies is to avoid rushing a prospect. Forced to choose between Navarro or Martin, he went with the player who is confident and mature beyond his years and played 50 games last season.

It is unlikely that Navarro and Martin would share the job this season because Alomar is invaluable as a backup and mentor to Navarro. Alomar is batting .440, although base stealers are 10 of 11 against him. At 39, he isn’t capable of catching more than once or twice a week.

The best scenario for the Dodgers is that Navarro learns on the job and improves as the season progresses. Last season, he batted .273 in 176 at-bats and threw out nine of 42 runners trying to steal.

That kind of production this year would be fine with the Dodgers. But if he continues to struggle, the temptation to promote Martin is sure to grow.

*

The Dodgers are contemplating putting in a waiver claim for right-handed relief pitcher Tyler Walker, who was designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.

Walker had 23 saves last season after Armando Benitez was injured, but fell from favor late in the season and struggled this year, blowing two saves and posting an earned-run average of 15.19 in six appearances.

The Giants must trade, waive or release him before Wednesday.

Colletti, the Giant assistant general manager the last 11 years, is familiar with Walker, who was injured late last season and has not regained his velocity.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

How they compare

The Dodgers rank as the worst team in baseball in throwing out base-stealers. The teams that have given up the most stolen bases:

*--* TEAM SB CS PCT. 1. DODGERS 23 1 041 2. San Diego 22 4 260 3. Cleveland 20 1 047 4. Chicago (NL) 19 8 296 5. New York (NL) 18 4 181 6. (tie) San Fran. 17 4 190 Florida 17 10 370 7. Pittsburgh 15 5 250 8. (tie) Boston 14 3 176 Colorado 14 2 125 Philadelphia 14 3 176 9. Seattle 13 3 187 10. (tie) ANGELS 12 4 250 Toronto 12 1 076 Chicago (AL) 12 3 200 11. Arizona 11 6 352 12. (tie) Baltimore 10 11 623 Kansas City 10 5 333 Washington 10 5 333 Tampa Bay 10 1 090 Atlanta 10 5 333

*--*

*

MLB.com