Nomar Garciaparra is one step closer to playing his first game of the season after going through a second consecutive round of batting practice Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. The only remaining questions now are how his ribcage muscle feels today and whether he'll make his 2006 debut with the Dodgers or on a minor-league rehab assignment. Garciaparra suffered a strained right ribcage muscle during the last weekend of spring training. He's been on the DL since Opening Day. Garciaparra expects to know how he feels sometime today. After two straight days of rigorous batting practice, his body will let him know whether he's healed enough to withstand real-game conditions. As for where he'll make his season debut, based on Grady Little's feelings, it looks like Garciaparra will play some minor-league games before being activated.