Dodgers : Guerrero Arrives and Says He’s Happy, Sort of

Under the cover of darkness, Pedro Guerrero arrived at Dodgertown late Thursday night, two days after his teammates had reported. Stealthily, he hopped into a rental car, waved to onlookers and sped off into the night.

So, it wasn’t until Friday morning that Guerrero made himself available so that the Dodgers and the media could check his mood after he spent the off-season brooding about trade rumors involving him.

Turns out that Guerrero was downright magnanimous--well, at least not surly--after his first workout of the spring. He said he would rather be celebrating Dominican Independence Day tonight in Santo Domingo, instead of in Vero Beach, but he seems to be making the best of the situation.

“I could’ve taken a few more days, but I’m happy I’m here,” said Guerrero, who reported that his chronically sprained left wrist still hurts. “I don’t have any hurt feelings anymore.

“The only reason I was upset is that I heard they were trying to make a trade, and how can they do that without asking me and my agent? Well, they can do that, but I wanted to know. I only found out when a few friends from L.A. called.”

Trade rumors continue to include Guerrero, who finished second in the National League with a .338 batting average and led the Dodgers with 27 home runs and 89 runs batted in.

Asked how he would handle a trade now, Guerrero said: “If I do (get traded), it’s fine. If not, fine. I just work for the Dodgers . . . I hope to finish my career with the Dodgers. It’s all business. If they can find somebody better, they can get rid of me.”

Guerrero said that if he was in executive vice president Fred Claire’s position, he would not trade Pedro Guerrero.

“If I’m the GM, no way I’d trade Pedro Guerrero,” he said, smiling.

Other highlights from Guerrero’s opening statements:

--On past disagreements with teammate Mike Marshall: “Disagreements? I forgot all about that.”

--On Kirk Gibson, his new teammate: “If he bats third (and Guerrero fourth), it’ll be a big help. He’s a good hitter and can run.”

--On life as a new father, after the birth three months ago of his daughter: “I’ve changed. I stay at home more, spend more time with my family. Now that we have a baby, I have something to play with. Before, we didn’t even have a cat.”

--On his goals for the season: “I’d like to go down on my average and hit more home runs. And steal more bases, but I don’t know who’ll run for me. I’ll slide head first now. (Al) Campanis (former vice president) is not here to get on me about it.”

Dodger Notes

Fernando Valenzuela pitched five minutes of batting practice for the first time this spring, and pitching coach Ron Perranoski reported that Valenzuela felt no stiffness or discomfort in his arm or shoulder. . . . The Dodgers announced Friday that their season opener, April 4, against San Francisco, has been sold out. . . . Alfredo Griffin, Dave Anderson and Mickey Hatcher, all bothered by minor back soreness, participated in completed workouts. . . . Pitcher Jay Howell, still slowed by the flu, continued restricted workouts.