Navarro Leaves Game With Hamstring Injury

Catcher Dioner Navarro suffered a hamstring injury and limped from the field during Wednesday’s 8-5 Grapefruit League loss to the Atlanta Braves, clouding the Dodgers’ plans for the position.

Projected to be a starter ahead of greenhorn Russell Martin, Navarro felt a twinge and clutched at his right hamstring while trying to beat out a chopper to second base in the fourth inning. He collapsed to the ground after crossing the bag at first base and, after lying there briefly, was helped from the field.

“That’s disheartening,” said Manager Grady Little, who offered a shoulder as the catcher limped off. “Hopefully, it’s not serious.

“Right now, it looks like a strain, but it’s one of those things you’ve got to wait until tomorrow to see.”

A Dodger starter through the second half of last season, when he batted .273 in 50 games, the 22-year-old Navarro was downcast as he met with reporters in the clubhouse. He said he had no history of hamstring injuries.

“Never in my life,” the Venezuelan said. “First time.”

Later, he said, “I just feel something back there; I don’t know what it is. I can’t say anything because I don’t know. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Little said that Navarro would be examined later in the day after the Dodgers returned to their spring-training base in Vero Beach.

“If it’s anything, it’s bad,” the manager said. “Just having him leave the game is not a pleasant sight.”

Still, Little said the Dodgers “wouldn’t hesitate for a minute” in making Martin their everyday catcher. Martin, a 23-year-old Canadian, is trying to make the jump from double A, a prodigious leap for a catcher, and has been catching for only three seasons after starting his pro career as a third baseman.

Sandy Alomar Jr., penciled in as the backup, is 39 and hasn’t played more than 75 games in a season since 2000.

“But that’s a good ways down the road,” Little said of the possibility of Navarro not being ready for the April 3 opener. “We’ll see how bad this is, see how quickly we think he’ll be getting back, before we start thinking about that.”

Asked what Martin should do to prepare, he said, “Do just what he’s been doing. But there’s no need talking about that until we see how Navvy is tomorrow.”

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Rafael Furcal, recovering from minor knee surgery in January, made his spring debut against his former team and played four innings, going 0 for 1 with a walk and stolen base in two plate appearances and cleanly fielding his only chance at shortstop.

Furcal said his legs are “a little heavy, but I feel strong.”

Said Little: “It looks to me like he’s real close to being ready.”

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Nomar Garciaparra, making the move to first base, is batting .154 this spring after going one for three. “Nomar’s had a lot of things on his plate, but this guy can hit,” Little said, “He’s put a whole lot of concentration into defense this spring.” Garciaparra made his second error at his new position, a wild throw to the plate in the third inning.... Starter Brad Penny made 68 pitches in a rocky 2 2/3 innings, giving up four runs and six hits, walking three and striking out three.