Little can ride in style now

Grady Little’s favorite form of relaxation is riding a motorcycle through the hills of North Carolina, where he spends his off-seasons. Thanks to Juan Pierre and Jeff Kent, his journeys should be especially enjoyable next winter.

When a player or coach gives up his jersey number to a new player, tradition calls for a gift in exchange. Little didn’t think twice about giving Pierre the No. 9 when the Dodgers signed the outfielder to a five-year, $44-million contract.

Pierre showed his appreciation by asking Little what he’d like in return. Knowing Kent owns two motorcycle dealerships in Texas, Little suggested that Pierre and Kent come up with a bike appropriate for a 57-year-old who likes to clear his mind cruising from Pinehurst to Myrtle Beach and back.

Kent chose a Yamaha with an 1800cc engine and is having fun customizing it the way Little wants it. All Pierre has to do is write a check.

“I’m glad to do it,” Pierre said. “Grady didn’t have to give me his number. I’m glad he did.”

Along for the ride

To ensure they have enough warm bodies to while away the late innings of the three Freeway Series games, the Dodgers will take along several minor leaguers when the team travels to L.A. after today’s game against the Detroit Tigers at Lakeland, Fla.

Among the additions will be infield prospects Blake DeWitt, 21, and Ivan De Jesus Jr., 19. DeWitt will begin the season at double-A Jacksonville. De Jesus will play at Jacksonville or at high Class-A Inland Empire.

Matt White, the journeyman left-hander who lucked into a rock-quarry fortune, also will come to L.A. before beginning the season at triple-A Las Vegas.

Staying back for a day to play in the Grapefruit League finale Thursday will be Matt Kemp, James Loney, Marlon Anderson, Joe Mays and bench coach Dave Jauss, who will manage the Dodgers.

Anderson is 0 for 8 in the Grapefruit League after taking it slow because of a sore arm, but he has had a dozen or so at-bats in minor league games.

The Dodgers lost, 3-0, to the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, dropping their record to 16-13.

Whittling names

The Dodgers trimmed the roster to 30 by optioning left-handed reliever Tim Hamulack to Las Vegas and reassigning Mays and catchers Kelly Stinnett and Sandy Martinez.

Mays and Stinnett will play for Las Vegas, and the minor league staff will decide where to assign Martinez.

“Mays will pitch in the starting rotation there so he’s sharp and ready when we need him,” Little said.

“We will begin the season with 11 pitchers, and realistically we will need many more than that.”

Space case

Upon further contemplation, Andy LaRoche wants to close the gap between the lower case ‘a’ and upper case ‘R’ in his surname. In other words, the clubhouse manager can discard the jersey that reads La Roche.

LaRoche requested that his name be spelled with the space about a month ago, a departure from the way his brother -- Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Adam -- and father -- former big league pitcher Dave -- spelled it.

“I ought to go with it the way everybody else does,” Andy said. “I’m not sure what I was thinking.”

LaRoche came into spring training hoping to battle Wilson Betemit at third base but mostly battled himself.

He made seven errors, is batting .173 and will begin the season at Las Vegas.

steve.henson@latimes.com