Just three days away from the regular MLB season, the Los Angeles Dodgers may reach into the minors for a third baseman.

New manager Joe Torre stated Thursday that Tony Abreu would not start at third base as scheduled, due to a strained right groin. Abreu is one of several injured third basemen in the Dodgers' lineup.

Nomar Garciaparra or Andy LaRoche would normally start, but they will miss opening day as well. Garciaparra is out with a broken bone in his right hand. Torre said Thursday, "I think we have to wait until the middle of next week to figure out how long Nomar will be out." Garciaparra wants to "take it easy with the hand and not aggravate it."

LaRoche will miss 8 to 10 weeks due to a thumb surgery on Monday.

The Dodgers are in pretty bad shape in the third base spot, but Blake DeWitt hopes he will get the green light for the position next Monday. DeWitt has never played a baseball game above double A, but desperation calls for these kinds of actions.

Garciaparra remains optimistic about his position and injury. He believes he will be back on the field shortly. This may get calm DeWitt's nerves slightly, and rookies do occasionally get chances like this to show people they have what it takes to make it in the big leagues; look at Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers or Ryan Braun of the Milwakuee Brewers.

Having DeWitt not does not change the fact that the Dodgers may be lacking at third base throughout the season with the string of injuries.