More Patient Mondesi to Open as No. 3 Batter

What began as an experiment three weeks ago has become reality.

Right fielder Raul Mondesi will open the season as the Dodgers’ No. 3 batter, Manager Bill Russell said.

Mondesi is batting .419 this spring after going two for three in the Dodgers’ 7-5 loss Tuesday to the Florida Marlins.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked,” Russell said. “He’s a lot more patient, a lot more selective at the plate. I really like what I see.”

Said Reggie Smith, Dodger hitting coach: “He’s doing pretty much what I knew he could do. There are things that he still needs to work on to hit from the third spot, but he allows us to do so many things.”

The Dodgers envision Mondesi becoming a 30-30 man, hitting at least 30 homers with 30 stolen bases, if he stays selective at the plate.

*

Utilityman John Wehner was considered a virtual shoo-in to make the team when he came to Dodger camp.

He can play every position, other than pitcher. He has 3 1/2 years of major league experience. Even his $350,000 salary was considered reasonable.

Yet with 2 1/2 weeks remaining in camp, Wehner has played himself off the team and probably out of the organization. Wehner is batting .045 in “A” games this spring and has made a team-high four errors.

Wehner’s spot now is expected to go to one of two infielders, Juan Castro or Nelson Liriano.

*

The commissioner’s office, in light of the Albert Belle gambling allegations, informed the Dodgers that all clubhouse pools will be banned. It’s the first time, veteran Dodgers say, they will have no NCAA tournament pool. . . . Center fielder Brett Butler, who has been out a week because of a hip injury, is scheduled to play tonight against the Florida Marlins. . . . Reliever Darren Hall was hit just below the left kneecap by a line drive hit by Mike Redmond and is expected to be out for at least three days. . . . The Dodgers made their first cuts of the spring, leaving infielder Eddie Williams, outfielder William Pennyfeather and pitcher Kirk Dressendorfer as the only nonroster players in camp.