Dodger Notebook : Hershiser Will Pitch Opener Against Astros

Whether it could be construed as a consolation prize for losing a bitter salary arbitration case or simply a gesture of appreciation for three years of service, Orel Hershiser said he was honored that the Dodgers have chosen him as their starting pitcher when they open the season a week from today in Houston.

In the previous four seasons, Fernando Valenzuela was the Dodgers’ opening-day pitcher. But Manager Tom Lasorda said Sunday that he decided a few days ago to give the assignment to Hershiser, who was told about it before the Dodgers’ 6-3 exhibition win over the Montreal Expos Sunday.

The Astros are expected to start Mike Scott, who finished 10 points ahead of Valenzuela in the Cy Young Award voting, in the opener. Valenzuela will pitch the season’s second game April 7 against the Astros’ Bob Knepper.

Hershiser, who had his salary cut from $1 million to $800,000 in arbitration after posting a 14-14 record and a 3.85 earned-run average in 1985, said he does not question the Dodgers’ motives in making the decision.

“Tommy and I have not talked about it at length, and we really had not discussed the reasons why he did it,” Hershiser said. “We didn’t get into the arbitration thing. No matter the reasons, I’m just happy to get the start. It’s a special day, real, real exciting.

“It’s easy to say it’s just another game, but opening day is opening day.”

Given a choice, Hershiser was asked if he would rather have been awarded the $1.1 million he sought in the arbitration hearing than the opening-day start.

He laughed and said: “Of course, I would.”

Without alluding to the Dodgers’ publicized arbitration victory over Hershiser, Lasorda said he wanted to give Hershiser the honor that went to Valenzuela five of the last six seasons. (In 1982, Jerry Reuss was the opening-day pitcher because Valenzuela staged a contract holdout).

“Maybe I did it to let him know how much we care about him,” Lasorda said. “Something like this may make him feel pretty good. That may be psychologically what I’m trying to do. It’s a nice gesture for him.

“Any one of the four could have very well been the opening-day pitcher. Orel’s had a hell of a spring (a 3.00 ERA in 24 innings). He’s worked hard, and I just decided to give him the start. Nothing big about it. Nothing fancy about it.”

Traditionally, opening day is big and fancy, and teams usually go with their best pitcher. Valenzuela is unquestionably the best pitcher on the Dodgers’ staff, but Lasorda said Fernando wasn’t at all angry or disappointed when told of the decision to go with Hershiser.

Valenzuela, interviewed before the announcement was made, said he would not consider it a snub to be passed over as the opening-day pitcher.

“No, it’s fine for me,” Valenzuela said. “Whatever they decide to do is fine with me. No problem. I can pitch any day, any time. Plus, I don’t like pitching Mondays.”

As usual, Valenzuela has not been overpowering in his spring training. But Sunday, he gave up 3 runs and 7 hits in 8 innings. He also had 6 strikeouts.

Valenzuela’s next appearance is scheduled for Friday night against the Angels at Anaheim Stadium. Valenzuela will likely pitch only two or three innings, and Rick Honeycutt will finish. Realistically, Valenzuela could not have pitched the following Monday with only two days’ rest.

Valenzuela pronounced himself ready to start the season, even though he won’t start the opener.

“Every spring, I come down here to work on my control,” Valenzuela said. “That’s the important thing for a pitcher. Today, I threw a lot of fastballs inside, and my screwball was working OK most of the time. I feel all right.”

Dodger Notes

After Orel Hershiser and Fernando Valenzuela pitch the first two games in Houston, the Dodgers will go with Rick Honeycutt. Bob Welch is scheduled to pitch the home opener April 9 against San Francisco. Welch’s career record against the Giants is 17-3. . . . The Dodgers also have updated their pitching for the Freeway Series against the Angels. After Valenzuela and Honeycutt split Friday night’s opener, Welch and Alejandro Pena will split Saturday night’s game, and Tim Leary and Jerry Reuss will pitch Sunday. . . . Pedro Guerrero had three hits Sunday, raising his spring average to .339. . . . Franklin Stubbs had a good day, getting a triple in the second inning and a double in the eighth. . . . Tom Niedenfuer recorded his second spring save by pitching a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two batters.