Park Finds Place in Rotation

Pitcher Chan Ho Park was rewarded Friday for his solid work in spring training when he was named the team’s fifth starter by Dodger Manager Bill Russell, who will start the season with veteran Tom Candiotti coming out of the bullpen.

Ramon Martinez will pitch opening day against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday and then be followed by Hideo Nomo, Ismael Valdes, Pedro Astacio and Park.

Park, who had a 2-0 record in four appearances this spring, will start against the Pittsburgh Pirates next Saturday but will not get another until late April, according to Russell.

“After [Park]’s first start, both he and Candiotti will be in the bullpen and having different roles coming out,” Russell said. “Whoever the fifth starter was going to be, they were going to get just one start early on.”

Candiotti, who had an 8.24 earned-run average in five spring starts, understood Russell’s decision.

“This could only happen on this team,” Candiotti said about the Dodgers’ starting pitching depth. “It’s just the way the circumstances are around here.

Does Candiotti want to be traded? He’s not saying, but he did point out that he has been a starting pitcher his entire career.

“Right now, I’m with the Dodgers and as long as I am,” Candiotti said, “I’ll be the best pitcher I can be.”

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Outfielder Karim Garcia was optioned to triple-A Albuquerque.