Is Nak in?

Nakamura trained with the Dodgers last spring while healing from a knee injury and will receive an invitation to Major League Spring Training.

Nakamura has long desired to play in the Major Leagues and backed out of a tentative two-year, $7 million deal with the New York Mets before the 2003 season. He is a five-time Japanese All-Star and four-time Gold Glove third baseman.

A right-handed hitter, Nakamura slugged 46 home runs in 2001 and 42 more in 2002, but those numbers dropped to 23 and 19 in 2003 and 2004. Having lost Adrian Beltre to free agency, the Dodgers signed left-handed hitter Jose Valentin to play third base and expect right-handed-hitting youngster Antonio Perez to see time there, too.

Nakamura would compete with Olmedo Saenz for a role as a backup corner infielder and right-handed pinch-hitter, although Saenz's $650,000 salary is guaranteed. Because of his defense, Nakamura also could become a Plan B at first base should Hee-Seop Choi struggle offensively.