Fonville’s Role Continues to Diminish

Chad Fonville, who only a few days ago was hoping to become the Dodgers’ starting second baseman until losing out to rookie Wilton Guerrero, now finds himself in danger of not making the team.

Fonville, instrumental in the Dodgers’ playoff berth two years ago, is battling Nelson Liriano for what likely will be the final spot on the team. “I came in wanting to be the second baseman,” Fonville said, “and my focus was on being a starter. But now I know my role is a utilityman.”

The Dodgers have already determined that their bench will consist of catcher Tom Prince, outfielders Wayne Kirby and Billy Ashley and infielders Chip Hale and Juan Castro. They now must decide whether they want Fonville’s speed and versatility or Liriano’s experience. Liriano, 32, batted .262 as a pinch-hitter last season with 12 RBIs for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Dodgers eliminated the only other legitimate contender for the bench Sunday when they released veteran John Wehner, who was batting .083. The Dodgers will have to pay Wehner $91,570 in termination pay.

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The dilemma of who’ll become the fifth starter, Chan Ho Park or Tom Candiotti, appears to be immaterial for April.

The Dodgers, with five off-days in the month, need to employ a fifth starter only once in April. They’ll employ a fifth starter on April 5, but won’t need to use a fifth starter again until May 1.

This would leave the Dodgers with seven relievers in their bullpen, forcing them to decide who’ll be left out among Park, Candiotti and reliever Darren Hall. Of course, the problem could be alleviated if they are successful in their attempts to trade Candiotti.

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Wayne Kirby hit a two-out, run-scoring single in the ninth inning that provided the Dodgers a 5-4 victory over the Montreal Expos. “I’m very confident coming off the bench and doing that,” Kirby said. “Really, I’m in a unique situation. I’m still going to get a lot of playing time if somebody goes down.” . . . Third baseman Todd Zeile’s struggles continued. He was hitless in four at-bats, and is batting .217 this spring without an extra-base hits.