N.L. report.(Baseball)

The ASTROS are uncertain about who will bat cleanup while RF Lance Berkman (knee) is on the D.L. Manager Phil Garner is leaning toward dropping 1B Jeff Bagwell from third to fourth, but he also might put CF Jason Lane or 3B Morgan Ensberg there or even go with a non-power hitter in the spot.... DIAMONDBACKS RHP Javier Vazquez blames his drop in velocity late last season on faltering mechanics. His arm angle dropped as he tired, and he began pushing the ball, affecting his velocity and command. ... C Paul Lo Duca might hit second on occasion for the MARLINS this season. 2B Luis Castillo is the main No. 2 hitter, but Lo Duca has hit there a lot and has far more pop. Castillo could hit seventh when Lo Duca is batting second and add speed to the bottom of the order. ... RHP Victor Santos may be the key to success for the BREWERS' rotation. He faded in the second half of 2004, going 2-9 in his final 13 starts. Santos attributes his struggles to arm fatigue. He never had pitched regularly in the majors before.... The CARDINALS are interested in adding a middle infielder, perhaps one who could fit in at second base long term and challenge 2B Mark Grudzielanek this year.... PHILLIES LF Pat Burrell insists his left wrist is fine, denying reports that he had discomfort. He has been taking batting practice the past month without pain. Burrell chose not to have surgery on the wrist, which he injured last season.... Dioner Navarro, 21, can wrest the DOOGERS' catching job from David Ross and Paul Bako with a good spring. Navarro, a former Yankees prospect, was the key player for L.A. in the Shawn Green trade with the Diamondbacks.... ROCKIES C J.D. Closser will work extensively with bench coach Jamie Quirk, a former catcher, this spring. Closser had six passed balls in 32 games last season, and Rockies pitchers were charged with 25 wild pitches when Closser was catching.... Minor league OF Rob Stratton (6-4, 250) could open some eyes in the RIEDS' camp. The club's medical staff says he is the strongest player it has tested. Stratton's main obstacle is reducing his high strikeout total.... It's possible that Jerry Hairston, acquired from the Orioles in the Sammy Sosa trade, will rotate among the three outfield spots for the CUBS and get 100-plus starts.... Besides 1B Julio France, 46, and C Eddie Perez, 36, the rest of the BRAVES' bench Jacks experience. IF Nick Green, 26, and OF Ryan Langerhans, 25, are the other main late-inning options at this point.... If METS manager Willie Randolph is willing to give a bullpen spot to a rookie, RHP Heath Bell may be an option. Bell had 27 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings in 2004. He also allowed five home runs, however. The bullpen after RHPs Braden Looper and Mike De, Jean is wide open.... NATIONALS RHP Chad Cordero will attempt to emulate Braves closer Dan Kolb by trying to induce ground ...