BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Fonville Will Keep Options Open

Infielder Chad Fonville, who had become a fan favorite with his hustling play, figured he would have a starting job this spring. Instead, the Dodgers signed Greg Gagne for $2.6 million to become their shortstop and re-signed Delino DeShields for $3 million as their second baseman.

Just like that, Fonville was without a starting job, and really, a position. He is being cast as a super-utility player.

So Fonville, 25, has brought enough gloves to play second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield.

“I know what I can do, and they know that I know I can play the game,” he said. “At first I was disappointed, but I know my time is coming. I’m just going to go out there and do what I did last year.”

If Fonville thought he was popular last season in Los Angeles, he soon discovered that he had become a folk hero in his hometown of Midway Park, N.C. They mobbed him in restaurants. They had autograph signings. They even retired his uniform at White Oak High School.

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The Dodgers, who still have nine unsigned players, are anticipating a player payroll of about $36 million this season, according to Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. They are discussing three- and four-year contract proposals with outfielder Raul Mondesi. . . . Infielder Garey Ingram, who tore knee cartilage in the last game of 1995, was told Tuesday that his knee has fully recovered.