--C Ryan Hanigan and C Ramon Hernandez will compete this spring for the starting spot. Hanigan did well last September as a rookie call-up. Hernandez, obtained in a trade from the Orioles for INF/OF Ryan Freel, provides experience.
--RHP Micah Owings, who only pinch-hit last season after he was acquired from the Diamondbacks in August, must prove early this spring that his shoulder is fully recovered as he competes for the available No. 5 spot in the rotation. --OF Jonny Gomes and OF Jacque Jones, both signed to minor league contracts with invitations to the major league camp, are insurance in left field in the event that rookie Chris Dickerson is unable to fill the vacancy created when the club traded LF Adam Dunn to the Diamondbacks last August.
--RHP Homer Bailey, who was 0-6 with a 7.93 ERA in eight starts last season, gets his third chance this spring to live up to his first-round draft pick status in 2004. He is vying for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.
--INF Jeff Keppinger started 101 games at shortstop last year and led the NL by striking out only once every 21 at-bats. He hit .350 against left-handed pitching. Keppinger is expected to spend most of his time this season in a utility role.
BY THE NUMBERS: 9 -- Errors committed behind the plate last season by newly acquired C Ramon Hernandez, tied for second most in the AL. He also was charged with 10 passed balls, third most in the AL.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have to improve on defense, and we'll work hard on it this spring." -- Manager Dusty Baker, whose club last season was the third-worst fielding team in the NL (.981, 114 errors).
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