N.L. report

SPOTLIGHT: Infielders

ASTROS 3B Mike Lamb likely will play a lot early in the season. The club needs his lefthanded bat in the lineup while switch-hitting OF Lance Berkman (knee) is on the D.L. BRAVES 3B Chipper Jones, who returned to the infield last season after an extended period in left field, proved much more capable at third than he was earlier in his career. He still struggles backhanding the ball, however. BREWERS Rookie SS J.J. Hardy is a defense-first player who has the potential to be an lira offensive threat. Scouts love his makeup. One concern: Hardy is coming off surgery to repair a separated left (non-throwing) shoulder. CARDINALS The club has few backup options should 1B Albert Pujols (foot) need time off. John Gall, who hit 22 home runs at Class AAA Memphis in 2004, is a possibility. Veteran OF/IF John Mabry also can play first. CUBS SS Nomar Garciaparra is eager to prove his subpar '04 was a fluke. He is experiencing no problems with his surgically repaired Achilles', which kept him out for the first 57 games last year. DIAMONDBACKS The infield depth is good. Former starters Alex Cintron and Matt Kata will back up SS Royce Clayton and 2B Craig Counsell. Cintron and Kata both can play second, short and third. DODGERS 1B Hee-Seop Choi couldn't hit his weight in two months with the club last season. If he fails this year, he could be replaced by 2B Jeff Kent, with Antonio Perez taking over at second. For now, Perez figures to platoon at third base with Jose Valentin. GIANTS Rookie IF Lance Niekro, the heir apparent to 1B J.T. Snow, could contribute this season as a bench player. He's a solid hitter and can play first or third base. Niekro needs to stay healthy; he has been injury-prone in the minors. MARLINS The club believes its solid infield defense is a big reason it will contend for the playoffs. It considers all four regulars-1B Jeff Conine, 2B Luis Castillo, SS Alex Gonzalez and 3B Mike Lowell--Gold Glove-caliber fielders. METS SS Jose Reyes, back at his natural position, is coming off a red-hot winter in the Dominican Republic, where he flashed his trademark speed and agility. NATIONALS It's not a given that Nick Johnson will be the first baseman. OF/1B Brad Wilkerson, an excellent fielder at first, could replace Johnson, especially if Johnson starts slowly at the plate. PADRES 1B Phil Nevin remains the weak link in the infield, but if he improves at picking the ball out of the dirt, he will make an impact on defense. PHILLIES Manager Charlie Manuel figures to give IF Placido Polanco 50 at-bats. Polanco likely will get many of those at-bats as the starting second baseman against lefthanders, in place of lefthanded-batting 2B Chase Utley. PIRATES 3B Ty Wigginton is a below-average defender, but he should provide 20 to 25 home runs for a lineup in desperate need of power. Daryle Ward, another subpar fielder, will get the majority of time at first base if he can stay healthy. REDS 1B Sean Casey and 3B Joe Randa lack the power most teams expect from their corner infielders, but both hit for high averages, put the ball in play and drive in plenty of runs.They also are solid fielders. ROCKIES Except for 1B Todd Helton, the infield is inexperienced. The left side has two rookies-3B Garrett Atkins and SS Clint Barmes--and 2B Aaron Miles is entering his second full big-league season. Atkins was an inconsistent fielder in the minors, and Barmes' defense is improving.

KEYSTONE COMBOS

Braves SS Rafael Furcal and 2B Marcus Giles have become very familiar with each other over the past three years and represent one of the game's top double-play combinations. Furcal's only defensive drawback is an erratic arm. Giles' range has improved dramatically over the years.... The strength of the Pirates' infield is up the middle. Jack Wilson is one of the top defensive shortstops. 2B Jose Castillo, a converted shortstop, displayed outstanding range and a rifle arm as a rookie last season.... The Padres' defense is anchored by 2B Mark Loretta and SS Khalil Greene. Loretta overcomes a lack of speed with good positioning and anticipation. Greene is athletic and has an accurate arm.

SCOUTING REPORT

Brewers 1B Lyle Overbay wilted over the course of last season, but he remained the team's best hitter. He has a sweet swing and is most effective when he sprays line drives to the outfield gaps. Overbay is not much of a home run threat, but he set a franchise record for doubles last year and has 100-RBI potential. In the field, he's a stabilizing presence.

Cleaning up

Cubs manager Dusty Baker is leaning toward keeping speedy CF Corey Patterson as the leadoff man and using 2B Todd Walker in the No. 2 slot. When asked where RF Sammy Sosa would hit. Baker said most likely fourth: That should be welcome news to Sosa who agreed to move down in the order last season, then later complained about the switch.

CORRESPONDENTS: Arizona, Steve Gilbert; Atlanta, Mark Bowman; Chicago, Carrie Muskat; Cincinnati, Todd Lorenz; Colorado, Thomas Harding; Florida, Joe Frisano; Houston, Alyson Footer; Los Angeles, Ken Gurnick; Milwaukee, Adam McCalvy; New York, Bryan Hoch; Philadelphia, Ken Mandel; Pittsburgh, Ed Eagle; St. Louis, Matthew Leach; San Diego, Mike Scarr; San Francisco, Rich Draper; Washington, Bill Ladson.

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