Scott

Hodges

Hodges, once viewed as the Expos’ third baseman of the future, believes symptoms from the disease caused him problems last year. ''They are going to try to start chemotherapy on Monday,’' Hodges said. ''The doctor told me it’s a very curable cancer. I will be getting chemotherapy once every three weeks.’' Hodges is optimistic about resuming his baseball career. He was close to signing a minor league deal with the Braves before the illness took its toll.

Hodges was limited throughout the spring. He’ll be sent outright to Triple-A once he’s healthy. He’s out of options, but he should clear waivers.

Hodges was a candidate to become the Expos’ third baseman before Tony Batista was signed, but he’s not good enough to start in the majors or versatile enough to be a quality bench player. He’ll stay with Edmonton unless Batista gets hurt.

Hodges is on the DL with a quad strain with bothered him throughout most of spring training.

He was assigned to Double-A Harrisburg’s temporary inactive list. Hodges, who revealed this spring that he was diagnosed with lymphoma, will attempt a comeback later this season.

Hodges, 24, hit .474 with three home runs and 10 RBI for the week. On the season, Hodges is hitting .300 with 10 homers, 48 RBI, 54 runs, five stolen bases, and 63/23 K/BB in 353 at-bats. The Expos have three home runs total out of Fernando Tatis, Edwards Guzman, and Jamey Carroll. If they fall much further out of the race Hodges should get a look.

Hodges, who began the season on the major league Dl with a strained quad, was hitting .212/.279/.288 in 38 games for Edmonton. Even if Tony Batista is traded, it doesn’t seem very likely that Hodges would be called up.