Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Nomar Garciaparra will likely miss the season opener because of a broken bone in his right hand.

Although Garciaparra would not put a timetable on his return, manager Joe Torre said he "does not anticipate" him being ready for opening day and added the two-time AL batting champion could start the season on the disabled list.

"I think we have to wait until the middle of next week to figure out how long Nomar will be out," Torre said yesterday.

Garciaparra said he needs to "take it easy with the hand and not aggravate it."

"I'm not looking that far ahead," he said. "I'll see how it feels every day, because that's all I can do. You can never predict. ... I have no control over the healing process. My body will do that."

An MRI on Wednesday in Los Angeles revealed a microfracture in his hand — an injury the Dodgers do not consider to be as serious as a complete fracture of a bone.

CARDINALS

Pitcher Adam Wainwright and St. Louis agreed yesterday to a $15 million, four-year contract, a deal that includes two option years and could be worth up to $36 million.

The Cardinals renewed Wainwright's contract at $448,000 earlier this month, while continuing to negotiate on a long-term deal. The right-hander is the likely opening-day starter, although the team has not made an announcement.