Martinez Will Start in Opener

The Dodgers made official Sunday what has been expected for weeks, naming right-hander Ramon Martinez as the starting pitcher for opening day.

Manager Bill Russell informed Martinez of his decision when he arrived at Dodgertown for morning workouts, making Martinez very happy.

“Billy told me he saw enough and he knew I was healthy,” Martinez said. “I feel great, because this is what I have been working for since last season.”

He will make his fourth consecutive opening day start--and fifth overall--at St. Louis on March 31.

In his previous opening day starts, Martinez is 2-2 with a 4.58 earned-run average.

He is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in three starts this spring. Martinez has given up three runs and seven hits in 11 innings and has struck out eight, with five walks. His pitches have been clocked between 95-97 mph.

The assignment is especially meaningful to him. Martinez was sidelined for two months last season because of a rotator cuff injury on his throwing shoulder, and he said this signifies the completion of his comeback.

“I knew I had a very good chance, but I had to prove I am 100%,” said Martinez, who was 10-5 with a 3.64 ERA last season. “I wanted to prove to everyone that they don’t have to worry about me. They know what I can do when I’m healthy.”

The Dodger starters said Martinez is the right guy for the job. “He’s been great the whole time down here,” said Darren Dreifort, expected to be the fifth starter. “He’s the workhorse of the starting staff, and he deserves to get the ball on the first day.”

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Time might be running out for Roger Cedeno to reestablish himself as the starting center fielder for opening day.

Cedeno has been sidelined since March 2 because of a strained right hamstring, and the Dodgers are unsure when he will return. His absence has created an outfield shuffle that has given more playing time to rookie Paul Konerko, who has seized the opportunity.

Konerko is batting .318 (14 for 44) with two home runs and nine runs batted in. He hit a two-run homer Sunday in the Dodgers’ 9-4 loss to the Cardinals at Holman Stadium, and the converted catcher-infielder has been sound defensively in left field, Russell said.

Todd Hollandsworth, expected to start in left, started in center field on Sunday, having recovered from a left hamstring strain. Could this be a preview of the Dodgers’ opening-day lineup?

“We have to start looking at alternatives if Roger isn’t ready,” Russell said. “Konerko is making it tough.” . . . Dreifort (1-1) had his first rocky start, giving up six runs on nine hits in four innings. He gave up a towering solo homer to center by Mark McGwire in the first inning, estimated at 475 feet.