Shane

Spencer

Spencer wasn’t very good last season, but he’s still likely to land a platoon job as a free agent.

Eric Valent got the start, and Spencer struck out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. Team doctors think a hip injury has caused one of Spencer’s legs to be longer than the other, contributing to his hamstring troubles.

Spencer is the fifth outfielder, and the team really wants to mix Milton Bradley, Jody Gerut, and Coco Crisp in with Matt Lawton. Spencer could see some time at first base, but for fantasy purposes he doesn’t amount to much more than a righthanded bat off the bench.

He also did some light running and throwing. ''I still feel it, but I’m functional,’' he said.

The Yankee shine that kept Spencer receiving major league contracts when similar players received minor league deals finally wore off about the same time he was arrested for drunk driving in July. The one-year deal he’s getting is worth about $580,000.

Any team is free to sign the outfielder.

“I do feel much better,” Spencer said, after appearing as a pich-runner yesterday, “I probably could swing the bat. I don’t think it’s worth it.” He could return Tuesday night.

Results are expected today, but a team official did not believe the DL would be necessary.

The arrival of Richard Hidalgo, however, will rob Spencer of his playing time and fantasy value.

They have 10 days to trade or release Spencer, whose recent DUI charge was the last straw for the team.