Guerrero Earns Starting Job

The Dodgers have decided to make rookie Wilton Guerrero their opening-day second baseman and are counting on Brett Butler to be their opening-day center fielder.

“He’s shown us that he has everything he needs to be our everyday second baseman,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “We have to continue to give him support and guide him and help him refine his game.

“At some point, we have to decide where we want to be headed, and we’re headed for Wilton to be out there on a daily basis. Nothing is a lock, but he’s on track.”

Guerrero, 22, is batting a team-leading .375 this spring and will become the first Dodger rookie to start at second base since Steve Sax in 1982.

“I know I can do it,” Guerrero said. “I am ready.”

Butler had his most impressive outing of the spring in Thursday’s 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Vero Beach, Fla. He aggressively took second base on a ball hit off the glove of shortstop Kevin Stocker, made a running catch on the warning track and laid down a picturesque bunt.

Said Manager Bill Russell: “He looks like the same old Brett to me. He still gets a good jump in the outfield, is aggressive on the basepaths, everything.”

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Starting pitcher Ramon Martinez pitched five shutout innings, giving up only one hit. “I think this is the best spring-training I’ve ever had,” he said.