Furcal Is Feeling More Like Himself

It’s natural to clean up before going home. Rafael Furcal is turning it on just in time for his return to Atlanta on Monday, where he played the last six years.

The switch-hitting shortstop had three hits Saturday, giving him eight in the last three games and raising his average to .266, the highest it has been since April 5. That date was also the last time the Dodgers played the Braves.

Furcal’s range has also improved noticeably the last week or so. He made several outstanding plays behind second base during the last homestand, and he backhanded a ground ball by Alfonso Soriano in the first inning Saturday and threw him out.

Why the inspired play? The leg and shoulder injuries that had hampered him since spring training have healed.

“I’m feeling much better,” he said. “It’s like I had my spring training in April. Now it feels like the season. I just want to keep it up.”

Furcal has made 11 errors, several as a result of having slow feet. He has worked with coach Mariano Duncan several hours before nearly every recent game to correct the problem.

“I know what I was doing wrong,” he said. “It’s just a matter of paying attention to it.”

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Second baseman Jeff Kent left the game in the third inning because of a sprained left wrist. He suffered the injury swinging at a pitch while striking out in the second.

Manager Grady Little said that although it is unlikely Kent will play today, the injury does not appear serious.

Kent has been hot, going 15 for 35 with 11 runs batted in the last 12 games.

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Reliever Lance Carter was sent to triple A on May 1 to correct problems in his delivery that contributed to his 7.45 earned-run average in April.

He slowed the tempo of his windup and posted a 1.08 ERA in 8 1/3 innings at Las Vegas. However, in both appearances since his return to the Dodgers, the first three runners have reached base.

That ERA? It’s now 8.49.

“This whole year has been jarring to me,” he said. “I feel fine. I just need a good inning to get going.”

Carter could be sent back to the minors when Eric Gagne is activated Thursday. Gagne is scheduled to make a second rehabilitation appearance for Las Vegas on Monday.

Another reliever who could be called up soon is veteran Giovanni Carrara, who has given up one run in 11 innings at Las Vegas.

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Right fielder J.D. Drew described the soreness in his right shoulder that kept him out of the game by saying, “It feels like something is stuck in it.”

He felt a twinge swinging at a slider Friday. The shoulder does not bother him when he throws.

“Maybe I slept on it wrong,” he said.