BASEBALL : DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Hamilton, Harris Platooning at Third

Jeff Hamilton was taken by surprise before Wednesday’s game when he was informed by Manager Tom Lasorda that he and Lenny Harris will begin the season platooning at third base.

“They kind of beat around the bush, but what they were saying was that, for now, we are platooning,” Hamilton said. “I would have thought they would have made the decision, and told me, before now. But I guess nothing should surprise me around here anymore.

“I don’t care. I’m not going to let this ruin my year.”

Hamilton was under the impression that since he proved himself sound during spring training, appearing in 22 of the 33 games with three home runs and nine runs batted in, the job belonged to him.

Hamilton was in the lineup Tuesday night against left-hander Charlie Leibrandt, but the game was rained out.

With the appearance of right-hander John Smoltz Wednesday, Harris was made the starter and the Dodgers’ plan was revealed.

“I would have been very, very disappointed if I was not at least platooning,” said Harris, who is being rewarded for batting .331 when playing third base last year, the highest average of any third baseman in the major leagues with a minimum of 100 at-bats. “In fact, I thought I might have been given the job to lose. But I will take what I can get.”

Harris is the Dodgers’ fifth opening-day third baseman in eight years.