Lugo Not a Fan of What Future Brings

If all goes according to the Dodgers’ plan, Julio Lugo will spend his first week with the team as the starting second baseman and the rest of the season as a reluctant utility man.

“I don’t like it,” Lugo said. “But I just came here to try to help this team win.”

The Dodgers expect to activate second baseman Jeff Kent and first baseman Nomar Garciaparra from the disabled list within a week, Manager Grady Little said, at which point the team would shuffle Lugo among second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions.

Little met with Lugo on Friday and told him to start taking fly balls in preparation.

“He wouldn’t be an everyday center fielder,” Little said. “He could be an everyday something. At this time of year ... there will be times people need some rest.”

Lugo has made 14 outfield appearances, none since 2001. He said he would use his infield glove there since he does not have an outfield glove. He was the shortstop for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays until the Dodgers acquired him this week, and he says he plans to sell himself as a shortstop in free agency this fall.

“Everybody knows I’m a shortstop,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where I play here.”

If Little can keep him in the lineup, Lugo says he’ll make the best of it.

“It’s a different team. It’s a different situation,” Lugo said. “I just came here to play and make a good team a better team. As long as I’m in there, I’ll be happy.”

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Rookie outfielder Cody Ross hopes he has found a home. In April, the Dodgers traded him to the Cincinnati Reds. In May, the Reds traded him to the Florida Marlins, for a player to be named or cash. The Reds no longer needed him as insurance against another injury to Ken Griffey Jr., and Cincinnati General Manager Wayne Krivsky told Ross he owed him the chance to play, somewhere.

“Wayne Krivsky did me the biggest favor,” Ross said.

Ross is hitting .240, with eight home runs in 57 games. He has hit one home run every 18.8 at-bats, a better ratio than any Dodger except Olmedo Saenz.

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The Dodgers, unable to trade outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. after designating him for assignment, released him. They owe him $1.2 million, including a $300,000 buyout of his 2006 option, although any team that signs him would pick up about $100,000.... Reliever Elmer Dessens was not available Friday after he sprained his left ankle while chasing a fly ball during batting practice. He left the field on a golf cart and was taken for X-rays, which were negative.... Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers’ top pick in the June draft, struck out 11 in six innings in a Gulf Coast League game Thursday. In 27 innings since turning pro, Kershaw has struck out 42, walked four and given up three earned runs.... Closer Takashi Saito has converted all 11 of his save opportunities. He and Pittsburgh’s Mike Gonzalez (19 saves) are the only major leaguers to earn 10 or more saves without blowing one.