Izturis Ready Sooner Than Expected

[love_that_reefer]

All-Star shortstop Cesar Izturis is making tremendous progress from reconstructive surgery on his throwing elbow and says he'll be ready to play for the Dodgers far sooner than expected.

The Dodgers have said repeatedly they didn't anticipate Izturis playing before the All-Star break in July, but he said he expects to be ready for minor league games by the time spring training camp breaks at the end of March.

Izturis took ground balls at second base for the second straight day Monday, and threw full-speed to first. He had surgery in September.

"It feels good," he said. "It will be a couple of weeks before I can turn a double play and take balls at shortstop."

Although he's only working at second base right now, Izturis said his work is part of his progress to getting back to shortstop. What happens at that point is a question that's been batted around since the signing of shortstop Rafael Furcal to a three-year, $39 million deal in early December.

Speculation has included the Dodgers asking Izturis to move to second base, but with Jeff Kent playing there, it creates a logjam in the middle infield.

Izturis has not been asked to make the switch, and has said since reporting to camp that he still considers himself a shortstop.

Furcal is expected to play in an exhibition game for the first time this spring on Wednesday. He has been recovering from knee surgery, but appeared to be in good shape during Monday's workout.

Would now be a good time to put Nomar in left and Kent to first so they will be ready? It will be scary/funny to see Nomar in left but I have no doubt Kent can play first.

[realmofotalk]

I hate to say it, but with Izzy moving to 2nd base, his major league career could turn out along the lines of Pokey Reese's if Izzy does not put up anything near his batting stats from 2004.

[padrefanforever]

This has all the makings of a complete mess........ asking more than one guy to play out of position isn't a good idea......ever......

[HollywoodLeo]

This has all the makings of a complete mess........ asking more than one guy to play out of position isn't a good idea......ever......

Just ask Phil Nevin and Ryan Klesko