LaRoche injured

The hot stove rumor mill should be back up and running now that the Dodgers have lost Andy LaRoche for a couple months with a torn ligament in his right thumb. At this point, the Dodgers are publicly suggesting they don't need to make a deal. From the MLB.com story last night:

"Right now, our focus will be internally until Andy's back," said Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. "I don't think we have to look elsewhere. Nomar is having his best spring. You don't draw it up like this, losing two third basemen in a matter of outs. Luckily, it looks like Nomar will be out only a couple of days. We have Tony Abreu and Ramon Martinez can play all over the infield."

We'll see if that sticks. However, if they think LaRoche will recover within that time frame, that might make it difficult to justify throwing money at third base for only the first month to six weeks of the season with Brandon Inge or Joe Crede. If they think it could be lingering injury, the pressure could mount.