Arizona Spring Site Draws Notice

As the Dodgers gain information about spring training sites in Arizona, they appear to be focused on sharing a proposed complex with the Chicago White Sox in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale.

Although the Arizona cities of Goodyear and Casa Grande also have pursued the Dodgers, Goodyear Mayor Jim Cavanaugh and Casa Grande City Manager Jim Thompson each said his city is not currently in discussions with the team.

“They’re much farther along with Glendale,” Thompson said. “That’s my understanding.”

Glendale is the home of the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Coyotes, and a new complex there could open in 2008 or 2009. With the Dodgers’ tradition, popularity and proximity to Arizona, the team could rival the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants as the top draws in the Cactus League, said Ted Ferris, president of the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority.

In 2001, the Dodgers signed a 20-year lease to continue training in Vero Beach, Fla. The Dodgers would owe about $15 million if they broke the lease, Indian River County administrator Joe Baird said.

Ferris said he did not know which teams were talking with Glendale but expected the city to submit a proposal for state funding “in the next month or so.” Neither the city nor the teams would confirm which teams were involved, but two sources familiar with the Glendale discussions identified the Dodgers and White Sox.

The Dodgers have no timetable for deciding whether to stay in Florida or move to Arizona, spokeswoman Camille Johnston said.

“We’re still in the listening phase,” she said.

*

Maybe Jason Repko isn’t Spider-Man after all. The high-flying outfielder was put on the disabled list because of a sprained left ankle, the result of landing wrong after his vain attempt to catch Morgan Ensberg’s home run in the first inning Tuesday.

Infielder Willy Aybar, who batted .326 in 26 games with the Dodgers last season, was called up from triple-A Las Vegas and arrived close to game time.

A teammate taped a Spider-Man action card to Repko’s locker weeks ago, and the nickname fits. Repko has climbed the wall several times this season.

“It’s something I work on every day with [Coach] Dave Jauss,” he said. “I go at everything hard.”

Manager Grady Little is reluctant to temper Repko’s aggressiveness, which has resulted in several outstanding plays.

“Whether he throws a ball halfway up the backstop or overruns a groundball, you can’t hardly fault those plays, just try to contain them,” Little said.

Repko, who is batting .304 with eight stolen bases, said 15 days on the disabled list should be more than enough time for him to recover.

*

Aybar was recalled instead of utility infielder Oscar Robles, who was sent down Monday to make room for a 12th pitcher, and power-hitting outfielder Joel Guzman.

“When we bring [Guzman] up, it will be to play every day,” Little said. “Aybar gives us a switch-hitting option off the bench.”

In 144 triple-A at-bats, Aybar batted .358 with seven home runs and 33 runs batted in.

*

New York Met General Manager Omar Minaya said he had little interest in acquiring Dodger left-hander Odalis Perez because of the $21 million Perez is owed this year and next. The Mets could be in the market for a starter because Victor Zambrano is out for the season.