Dioner Navarro scratched from lineup; injury could open door for Hector Gimenez

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Backup catcher Dioner Navarro felt something while taking a swing during the Dodgers’ workout Thursday and was scratched from the game against the Colorado Rockies later in the day. Navarro left the Dodgers’ spring training compound to undergo an MRI exam.

If Navarro has to be sidelined for more than a week, this could open the door for Hector Gimenez to make the opening-day roster.

Gimenez, a 28-year-old career journeyman catcher, is hitting .286 with three home runs and seven runs batted in.

Because the Dodgers felt they were already set at catcher, they have had Gimenez log innings at first base and left field this spring. Gimenez signed with the Dodgers as a free agent and was put on their 40-man roster. Because he is out of options, they cannot send him to the minor leagues without risking losing him to another team.

Gimenez’s only major-league stint was in 2004, when he played two games for the Houston Astros.

-- Dylan Hernandez in Phoenix