"He's the type of player I think that can help this ball club," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "We're not necessary looking for some blockbuster move, but a piece that can really add to what we're trying to do. And the more people you can acquire that have the work ethic that he does, I think it's got to be a positive."

Los Angeles began the night one game behind first-place Arizona in the NL West. Blake, who has also played right and left field, is expected to play third exclusively for now because the Dodgers haven't gotten what they needed from rookies Andy LaRoche and Blake DeWitt at that position. "I like the idea that [Casey Blake] does play a number of positions," Torre said. "But right now we're just thinking third base, knowing that whatever future decisions we make will be based on his versatility."