Ex-Giants trainer goes to Dodgers

Stan Conte, who resigned less than two weeks ago as the San Francisco Giants’ trainer, was hired by the Dodgers on Friday in an expanded position that will place him in charge of all the team’s medical programs in addition to his duties as trainer.

Stan Johnston, the Dodgers’ head trainer the last seven years, will remain on staff and report to Conte, whose title will be director of medical services and head athletic trainer.

During his 15 seasons with the Giants -- the last seven as head trainer -- Conte developed a strong relationship with Ned Colletti, who spent 11 seasons with the Giants before becoming the Dodgers’ general manager a year ago.

“Stan is an expert in physical therapy and conditioning in professional sports, and when he became available we jumped at the chance to add him to our team,” Colletti said. “He is a progressive thinker and a leader in this field.”

Conte did have at least one disagreement with the Giants’ front office. He wanted Barry Bonds’ personal trainers banned from the clubhouse, but team executives refused to do it. Among Bonds’ trainers was Greg Anderson, who in 2003 was indicted on charges he distributed steroids to players as part of the BALCO investigation.

Conte, no relation to BALCO founder Victor Conte, testified before the grand jury in April and reportedly was required to turn over Giants training records related to Bonds.

Giants players spent fewer days on the disabled list than any team except the Chicago White Sox from 1997 to 2004, but the number of injuries mounted the last two years, primarily because the Giants signed numerous players well into their 30s.

“Did that take a toll on me? Yes, because I feel responsible for injuries,” Conte told the San Francisco Chronicle after he resigned Oct. 17. “I think that using age as an excuse ... the organization deals you the cards you play with, and I thought we could have done better.”

In his new role, Conte will oversee all of the Dodgers’ medical programs, including athletic training, physical therapy, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and the club’s relationship with Athlete Performance Institute, which began last season. Conte also will oversee the training of Dodgers minor league players.

“I have the utmost respect for the Dodger organization and am here to make a program that is very good even better,” Conte said.

steve.henson@latimes.com