Izturis Might Move From Third Base

Cesar Izturis could move from third base when he returns to the Dodgers after spending the last two days with his wife and newborn daughter.

But it wouldn’t be to shortstop, where he won a Gold Glove in 2004.

Manager Grady Little and his coaches are discussing using Izturis at second base while Jeff Kent is sidelined because of a strained muscle in his side. Willy Aybar, called up from triple A on Tuesday to replace Kent on the roster, would play third base in that scenario.

However, the Dodgers could decide to leave Izturis at third, where he has performed well since coming off the disabled list June 20. Aybar has spent a considerable amount of time at second in the minors but has played mostly third for the Dodgers. He played 20 games at third and six at second in September and 26 games at third and nine at second earlier this season.

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Aybar was brought up from triple-A Las Vegas instead of Oscar Robles, the utility infielder who was so valuable for the Dodgers last season. Robles is batting .299 in 144 at-bats with no home runs.

The switch-hitting Aybar has more pop in his bat. He was batting .315 in 50 games at Las Vegas with 12 doubles, 10 home runs and 41 runs batted in.

He has also proven he can hit at the big league level, improving his average in three stints with the Dodgers to .301 by hitting two doubles in four at-bats Tuesday.

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Mariano Duncan said he would appeal if Major League Baseball disciplines him for tossing his cap at umpire Angel Hernandez on Monday. Hernandez, the third base umpire, had already ejected Duncan for simulating a swing from the first base dugout after Hernandez ruled Chad Tracy of the Arizona Diamondbacks had checked a swing in the first inning.

Hernandez gave Duncan’s cap to a spectator, which incensed Dodgers coaches and players. Hernandez might be disciplined, but MLB does not make public fines levied on umpires.

Duncan got the last laugh Tuesday, when he took the lineup card to home plate with his cap taped to his head. Even Hernandez got a chuckle out of it.