Penny Makes Team; Garciaparra Hopeful

Brad Penny is in, Nomar Garciaparra is on the bubble.

Penny, whose 9-2 start is the best of his career, was named to the National League All-Star team Sunday. The right-hander with an earned-run average of 2.94 was the lone Dodger picked for the July 11 game at Pittsburgh.

But Garciaparra, whose .361 batting average is second in the National League, still has a shot to make it via a special Internet fan vote that runs through Thursday. The first baseman is one of five finalists for an added spot, along with Chris Young of the San Diego Padres, Chris Capuano of the Milwaukee Brewers, Billy Wagner of the New York Mets and Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies.

“Thanks for telling me,” a surprised Garciaparra told reporters Sunday after going one for four in a 4-0 interleague loss to the Angels in Angel Stadium. “Just to be thought of like that, that’s an honor in itself. We’ll see what happens.”

Penny didn’t need to wait.

“I’m excited,” the first-time All-Star said. “I’ve never done it. It’s definitely something I wanted to experience. It could have easily been Derek Lowe. He’s pitched great, had some bad breaks.

“Things have to work out for you. There’s a little luck involved -- where the ball is hit, how the defense plays, how many runs you score that day.”

Manager Grady Little said of Penny’s selection, “That’s not a surprise to me. We are proud for Brad. He’s done a good job the first part of the season.”

Of Garciaparra, Little said, “He’s just kind of hung up at a position of strength in the National League. There’s not enough room for everybody.”

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Vladimir Guerrero’s line drive Saturday left an ugly mark on Mark Hendrickson’s left arm, but the Dodgers left-hander was still expected to take his regular turn in the rotation Thursday night against the San Francisco Giants.

“He’s got a pretty good tattoo over there today,” Little said. “He hit him solid, right on the biceps. You can see the imprint of the baseball on there today, but I think it won’t be anything that will hold him up from pitching next time. ...

“We have no concerns.”

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After months of discussions, the Dodgers have yet to reach an agreement to move their spring home to the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Ariz. Officials there hope to lure the Dodgers and Chicago White Sox to a new training complex, but the Glendale City Council adjourned for summer recess last week without receiving any agreement to consider.

The council does not meet again until Aug. 15.

The Dodgers are exploring a move to the Cactus League in order to train closer to their fan base, and the bigger crowds would improve their bottom line in spring training. However, the team has not committed to leaving its longtime spring home in Vero Beach, Fla.

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Times staff writer Bill Shaikin contributed to this report.