Furcal ready to put two frustrating years behind

Mar 9, 2010 - 12:34 AM GLENDALE, Ariz.(AP) -- Felling better than he has in years, Rafael Furcal is poised to put two years of frustration behind him.

The Dodgers shortstop suffered a lower back injury in 2008 that eventually required surgery. He played all of the 2009 season but admits now that he wasn't at full strength.

Those last two Dodgers teams advanced to the NL Championship series, and while Furcal played in the playoffs both years, he was not a significant contributor in the team's regular-season success.

As the defensive captain on the infield and the team's leadoff hitter, Furcal is anxious to do his part.

"It's different when you feel healthy, you don't feel any pain or have any concern," Furcal said. "You can't ask for more that that. I worked out a little bit in the Dominican to get in shape for this year and want to do better."

Furcal was limited to only 36 games in 2008, going down to injury on May 5 after opening the season with a team-leading .366 batting average, 12 doubles, five home runs and 34 runs.

He tried to rehab the injury but on July 3 he underwent microdisectomy surgery to remove parts of a ruptured disc that was pinching a nerve. Unexpectedly, he was able to return for the 2008 postseason and even batted .333 (4 for 12) in a division series sweep of the Cubs.

He signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Dodgers before last season, but failed to produce to his standards. Furcal's .269 batting average and 12 stolen bases were career lows.

A positive sign was that six of those 12 steals came during the final three weeks last season.

"Sometimes I was a little afraid to steal bases because I was thinking too much about my back," Furcal said. "In September, I was feeling so good, my back didn't hurt. I didn't feel anything, just like this year. We'll see what happens."

Manager Joe Torre plans on taking it easy on veterans like Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake but not with the 32-year-old Furcal.

"I'm not planning on resting him as much as we did in the first half of last year," Torre said.

Already this spring Furcal is putting in extra time on the field, something his body wouldn't let him do last year at this time.

"I keep working with (the coaches) and come in early sometimes," Furcal said. "During batting practice I try to take as many ground balls as I can and I'm getting better. Just making all the routine plays will help the team to win."

NOTES: Dodgers reliever Cory Wade had a cortisone shot in his right shoulder and is expected miss two weeks. ... Dodgers pitching prospect Josh Lindblom was impressive in two innings of a B game against the White Sox and could get an extended look in the battle for the open fifth starter spot.