Back Spasms Force Furcal to Leave Game

The instant $39-million shortstop Rafael Furcal winced while running from first to third in the first inning Tuesday, Manager Grady Little and trainer Stan Johnston jumped from their seats in the dugout.

Furcal told them that his back felt tight but that he wanted to remain in the game. Little allowed him, then regretted it when Furcal sprinted home on a wild pitch, dived head-first and rolled onto his back.

Jeff Kent, who was at the plate, whispered to Furcal, reminding him that this was a spring training game and therefore meaningless. Furcal left the game and was diagnosed with back spasms.

The injury does not appear serious, but as Little said, “[Back spasms] can be tricky.” Furcal is not expected to play today in the last full-squad game before the Dodgers depart for Las Vegas and an exhibition Thursday.

Managing is also tricky, and Little was left to ponder two lessons.

No. 1: Furcal, the new Dodger spark plug, is not a player who can be told to take it easy. Either he plays at full speed or he’s out of the game.

No. 2: After six weeks, spring training has reached a point of diminishing returns. The chance of a key player getting injured is greater than anything gained by playing these meaningless games.

“The last thing we want is for somebody to get hurt right now,” Little said. “That is foremost on our minds.”

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Joel Guzman and Willy Aybar were optioned to triple-A Las Vegas, leaving the Dodgers with 32 players in camp. Two of those -- Cesar Izturis and Jayson Werth -- will open the season on the disabled list.

Guzman’s move from shortstop to left field was deemed a success and he also will play at first and third base at Las Vegas because the Dodgers consider him the hitting prospect they would call up first if there were a long-term need at those positions.

“This guy has a chance to be a franchise player,” Little said. “He’s a good hitter but he still needs to get better. He’s not a person who we want to bring here and have any failure whatsoever. We want him to stay a long time. When the door cracks open, he can bust through it at several different positions.”

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There is no timeline for Werth’s return after off-season wrist surgery. He has not been able to swing a bat without pain all spring.

“It’s beyond frustrating,” he said. “Now I’m battling not only the repair but the scar tissue buildup after two months in a cast. I’m trying to get the healthy hacks. I’m not quite there yet.”

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Left-handed reliever Hong-Chih Kuo won the Jim and Dearie Mulvey Award as top rookie at Dodgertown. Kuo pitched 10 scoreless innings and is expected to make the team.... The Dodgers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-2, behind a two-run home run and double by J.D. Drew and six strong innings by starter Jae Seo.