http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Apr-07-Thu-2005/sports/26239946.html

Thursday, April 07, 2005
Copyright c Las Vegas Review-Journal

Chen won't complain about starting year with 51s



By MATT YOUMANS                   REVIEW-JOURNAL



As surely as the sun rises in the east, when the Los Angeles Dodgers break
spring training and head west, Chin-Feng Chen gets dropped off in Las Vegas.

Chen, the Triple-A franchise's career leader in home runs with 72, returns
for his fourth season with the 51s when they open the Pacific Coast League
schedule on the road at 5:05 p.m. today against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

Entering his seventh season in the Dodgers organization, Chen has played 351
games in Las Vegas and only 12 in the major leagues. But he's not worried
that his career seems to be in slow motion.

"I like it here and it's very comfortable for me, so it's OK," the
27-year-old outfielder from Taiwan said before a Wednesday afternoon workout
at Cashman Field.

"Whether I'm here or in the major leagues, I've still got to play. I just try
to play well and see what happens. That's the only thing in my mind."

Several familiar faces are on the team picture. Jerry Royster returns as
manager, a position he had for the Las Vegas Stars from 1996 to 1998. Royster
was the infield coordinator for the Dodgers organization the past two years.

Royster's 24-man roster includes starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, infielder
Joe Thurston and outfielder Cody Ross -- all key players on last year's team
that finished 67-76.

Chen hit .289 with 20 homers and 65 RBIs in 81 games for Las Vegas last
season. He was called up to Los Angeles three times but never saw significant
action.

"Chen is close to being ready to go. I would like to see him get a shot at
the major leagues," Royster said.

"In my opinion, he's ready to play the major league game in all aspects. The
guys ahead of him deserve to be ahead of him. But he just hasn't had the
opportunity at that level."

Chen was left off the Dodgers' 40-man roster in the offseason and was not
expected to return, but cleared waivers and re-signed with Los Angeles.

"He's going to be just fine," Royster said. "I'm a Chen guy, and I'm also a
Ross guy. This is a big year for them. We are very, very good offensively."

Ross hit .273 with 14 homers for the 51s, but was limited to 60 games because
of injuries. He will start in center field.

Thurston, who has played 369 games in three years in Las Vegas, probably will
fill a backup role at second base because the Dodgers want a more extensive
look at other prospects.

Norihiro Nakamura, a veteran from Japan, will play first base. Willy Aybar, a
22-year-old who hit 15 homers last season at Double-A Jacksonville, will see
time at second and third.

The regular catcher will be Dioner Navarro, a 21-year-old who played five
games for the New York Yankees last season.

"I would say that most people consider our No. 1 prospect here is Navarro.
He's as good as the hype," Royster said.

Jackson, a 21-year-old right-hander, was ranked the Dodgers' top prospect
last year. But he struggled in 19 starts in Las Vegas, going 6-4 with a 5.86
ERA. He was 2-1 with a 6.75 ERA in seven games in the majors.

Jackson will start the fourth game of the season Sunday, putting him on
schedule to take the mound April 15 in the 51s' home opener against Colorado
Springs.

"Being in Vegas is not necessarily a bad thing," Jackson said. "I'll come
down here and work hard."

Royster said he plans to develop prospects, but not at the expense of
winning.

"We're going to have a pretty good season," Royster said. "This is fun, and
this is why I don't mind coming back and doing this. I love this part of it,
where I can present to them an opportunity to become a major leaguer. It's
what I feel like I do best."