Saenz Fills Key Role for Team

Most National League teams are caught without a strong designated hitter when they play interleague games at American League parks.

Most NL teams don’t have Olmedo Saenz.

Saenz is a made-to-order DH for the Dodger swing through Kansas City, Chicago and Anaheim. He will be able to bat in the middle of lineup without compromising the defense.

Saenz, 34, is certain to shoot past last season’s at-bat total of 111 during the trip. He is 33 for 104 platooning with Hee-Seop Choi at first base, getting an occasional start at third base and serving as the primary right-handed pinch-hitter. He has 29 runs batted in, tying him for second on the team with J.D. Drew, who has more than twice the plate appearances.

Although Manager Jim Tracy appreciates the production, he is wary of playing Saenz too often.

“If you play Olmedo Saenz every day you’ll break him or you’ll fatigue him to the point he won’t be effective,” Tracy said. “If you get him hurt, he’s an irreplaceable piece.”

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Insurance on Brad Penny’s three-year, $25-million contract that would include coverage for a “preexisting condition,” such as the right-handed pitcher’s biceps nerve problem, would cost about 10% of the value of the deal.

A source with knowledge of insurance policies for athletes said the Dodgers could expect to pay $800,000 or more a year. The exact figure is not known because the Dodgers have yet to provide carriers with the results of Penny’s recent physical and MRI test.

The Dodgers already know that insuring long-term contracts can be prudent. Darren Dreifort is in the last year of a deal that pays him $13 million this season, although the injured right-hander will earn none of it on the mound. The Dodgers should be reimbursed $7 million to $8 million.

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Maybe the five days Dioner Navarro spent with the Dodgers in late May served as motivation. Since returning to triple-A Las Vegas, the catching prospect is 19 for 40 with three home runs in 11 games, raising his batting average from .243 to .305.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- Kansas City Royals, three games.

Site -- Kauffman Stadium.

TV -- FSN West 2.

Radio -- 980, 1330.

Records -- Dodgers 33-29, Royals 21-41.

Tonight, 5 PDT -- Jeff Weaver (6-5, 5.27) vs. Runelvys Hernandez (3-7, 5.03).

Wednesday, 5 p.m. -- Brad Penny (3-2, 4.04) vs. Jose Lima (0-5, 8.16).

Thursday, 5 p.m. -- Derek Lowe (5-6, 3.62) vs. Zack Greinke (1-7, 6.01).