"Rafael Furcal pointed to the white hairs along the side of his head and laughed.

Yes, Furcal conceded, he's older.

But even though the shortstop has had back problems in recent years that will force the Dodgers to handle him with almost as much care as 37-year-old Casey Blake, he said retirement is not even remotely on his mind.

"I'm 33 years old," Furcal said. "Some guys play until they're 42."

Furcal's future with the Dodgers probably will be determined by his ability to remain healthy in the final guaranteed year of his contract. If he can make 600 plate appearances, his $12-million club option for 2012 will automatically be exercised.

"I'm not thinking about that at all," Furcal said.

But Furcal said he was working out in his native Dominican Republic as far back as November to avoid a relapse.

Furcal missed 125 games in 2008, when he underwent a midseason back operation.

He played in 150 games the following year and made the All-Star team in 2010, but back pain pushed him onto the disabled list from Aug. 3 to Sept. 3. He played in a total of 97 games.

If this is Furcal's last season with the Dodgers, he wants to leave a legacy.

Furcal said he intends to help prospect Dee Gordon, who is in major league camp and could one day be his replacement. He said others did the same for him."