Joe Torre meets with Blake DeWitt

Told him to be patient and he would be kept updated throughout the spring as to where he'll fit in. However, Joe seemed to hint to us before the workout that coming off the bench in the major leagues isn't the best role for DeWitt.

``I think a lot will be decided by the end of spring training, after everything shakes out,'' Torre said. ``Orlando is good, and he seems to be recovered after he had a pretty serious (left-wrist) injury last year. I think we'll really have to evaluate how much work (DeWitt) will get. We're not going to dismiss him, obviously, because he has done too much for us. We know he is a big part of our future. As the spring goes on, I think we will have to evaluate what the best thing for him is. What is best for him is best for us. We want him to continue his progress.''

Joe also was asked about the possibility of DeWitt moving to third and Casey Blake to LF if the Dodgers don't sign Manny, and he basically dismissed it. Said it could certainly happen as part of late-inning double switches, but not on an everyday-starting-lineup basis. If it isn't Manny in LF, for now, it's still going to be Juan Pierre.