With LaRoche injured, Nomar may start at 3rd

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Andy LaRoche had no idea getting hit by a baseball could do so much damage. LaRoche tore a ligament in his right thumb trying to catch a pickoff play at third base during Friday's 6-4 loss to St. Louis. He will have surgery Monday in Los Angeles and miss eight to 10 weeks, taking him out of a two-man competition at third and making Nomar Garciaparra the probable opening-day starter despite his own injury. (link)