BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : For Piazza, It’s a Long Season

Dodger catcher Mike Piazza, forgetting the pleasure of driving the Los Angeles freeways, was aggravated by the time he arrived at Dodger Stadium, and it didn’t help matters when it came time to open his locker.

He had absolutely no idea of the combination.

Who could blame him? The Dodgers’ last home game was Aug. 4, 1994. Yet, because of this nearly nine-month layoff, Piazza was determined to be in the starting lineup for their home opener.

There was only one problem.

His right hamstring was not cooperating.

Piazza, who took treatment on his hamstring and then tried running on it, was forced to sit out the opener. It’s questionable whether he’ll be able to play at all during the three-game series against Atlanta.

“It’s very disappointing sitting out the home opener,” Piazza said, “but I’m not going to get emotional about it. It’s so early in the year, I’m not going to take any chances. I’ve learned it’s a tremendously long season.”

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Dodger starter Ramon Martinez filed for the highest arbitration award in Dodger history Friday at $4.5 million, seeking a raise of $1.81 million.

Martinez, who is eligible for free agency after the season, would become the highest-paid player on the Dodgers if he wins his arbitration case.

The Dodgers, who still hope to reach a settlement, submitted an offer of $3.35 million. It’s the highest offer the Dodgers have ever submitted, surpassing the $2.4 million offered to Fernando Valenzuela and Jay Howell.

The Dodgers also exchanged arbitration figures with backup catcher Carlos Hernandez. The Dodgers offered $300,000; Hernandez is seeking $525,000.

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No one was happier to be standing on the foul line during introductions Friday night than Noe Munoz, who on Thursday was catching for Reynosa in the Mexican League. When the Dodgers learned that Piazza would be questionable for the Atlanta series--and with triple-A catcher Tom Prince ineligible to join the team until May 15--they turned to Munoz. “My dreams have come true,” Munoz said. “This is the happiest day in my life.”