Dodgers could get a bullpen test tonight

When visiting the mound on opening day to remove Hiroki Kuroda, Manager Joe Torre made it a point to say something to his catcher.

“Nice going,” he said.

Torre said he liked how Russell Martin instructed Kuroda to walk Adrian Gonzalez to load the bases in the sixth inning rather than give Gonzalez a chance to win the game. The call turned out to be the right one, as reliever Cory Wade induced an inning-ending groundout.

“I think he did a nice job of not giving into the hitter,” Torre said. “Russell never had any deficiencies defensively. The difference with Russell is the mental side, I think.”

That was a point of emphasis over the winter and spring as Martin prepared for his fourth season as the Dodgers’ starting catcher.

Martin denies he was bothered by the increased questioning of his ability to call a game or rumors that the Dodgers had interest in signing Jason Varitek.

“We had the best ERA in the league last year so they can say whatever they want,” Martin said.

But . . .

“This year, I wanted to make sure that there isn’t a question,” Martin said. “That’s a goal.”

That was part of the reason Martin spoke every other week in the winter with Torre, a former All-Star catcher.

“I think he’s very open,” Torre said.

And that includes Torre’s idea of sitting Martin once a week.

Martin said he’s also making more of an effort to improve his communication with pitchers.

Martin said he got the impression that some Dodgers pitchers didn’t think he was prepared for games last season, a notion he disputes.

“This year, I want to let them know that I am,” Martin said.

The organization did what it could to help, adding veteran Brad Ausmus as a backup to mentor Martin.

Martin has made another adjustment, this one in response to being hit in his protective cup by a warmup pitch by Jonathan Broxton on Monday night. Martin received a bulkier cup from Ausmus on Tuesday.

“It’s a little wider and it has more room for protection,” Martin said.

DeWitt’s next challenge

Making the opening-day roster was hard. What’s ahead could be harder.

Blake DeWitt’s response?

“This is a great opportunity to learn,” he said.

The 23-year-old infielder from the Midwest with the seemingly indomitable spirit is again faced with a formidable task, this time that of being a bench player.

On days Rafael Furcal rests his surgically repaired back, DeWitt will start at shortstop, something he last did in high school. He could also be asked to play second base and third base.

“I’m ready,” he said.

He’ll pinch-hit late in games, facing primarily closers and setup men.

“I like the challenge,” he said.

DeWitt said he has taken tips on pinch-hitting from coach Mark Sweeney, second all-time in pinch-hits.

“In that situation, you have to know ahead of time what kind of situation you might be in,” DeWitt said. “You have to know who’s in the pen, who might be available, what they might be throwing.”

Short hops

Furcal will probably be rested Thursday. . . . Tuesday’s game was originally scheduled for Oct. 1. Because the game was moved up, the Dodgers will have a day off heading into their season-ending three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.

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dylan.hernandez@latimes.com