Ashley Tries Luck as Free Agent After Passing on Trip to Minors

Outfielder Billy Ashley decided to become a free agent rather than go back to Albuquerque, the Dodgers announced Sunday.

“For Billy, it’s the right decision,” Executive Vice President Fred Claire said. “He knows he is not going to get the at-bats here. We have a lot of right-handed power.

“I think he will go somewhere and hit 30, 40, 50 home runs for someone.”

Ashley hit .244 with six homers and 19 runs batted in in 71 games last season. He spent 10 years in the Dodger organization, the last three in the major leagues. But he never played more than 81 games for the Dodgers, partly because he was considered a defensive liability.

“Billy would be better off in the American League as a designated hitter,” Claire said. “He couldn’t play with the personnel we have in the outfield.”

Ashley was to make $450,000 this season. He hit .217 with two home runs and eight RBIs this spring.

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Dodger pitcher Ismael Valdes, who was slowed earlier this spring because of a sore right elbow, will pitch today for triple-A Albuquerque in Florida. Manager Bill Russell said he expected Valdes to join the Dodgers tonight in St. Louis and start Saturday in Cincinnati.

Outfielder Roger Cedeno also will return to the Dodgers this week. He has been on the 15-disabled list since March 22 because of a severe hamstring strain. Whether he plays or is sent out for a rehabilitation stint has not been decided.

“He’s close to 100%,” Russell said. “He’s been hitting and running the bases. We’ll see where he’s going to play when he gets here.”

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The Dodgers optioned pitchers Dennis Reyes and Ignacio Flores and catcher Paul LoDuca to Albuquerque.

They also put first baseman Eric Karros on the 15-day disabled list and signed outfielder Mike Devereaux to a major league contract.

Garey Ingram was outrighted to Albuquerque, thus setting the Dodgers’ opening-day roster.

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The Angels sent pitchers William VanLandingham and Anthony Chavez to Vancouver, leaving them with 11 pitchers to start the season. They will make the rest of their roster moves today.

For VanLandingham, it was a disappointing end to the spring. He was to compete for a spot in the rotation, then the Angels signed Jack McDowell.

“He needs to get some starts [in Vancouver],” Manager Terry Collins said. “He’s going to start a game for us sometime this summer. Injuries can happen. I don’t know a team that has had its pitchers make every start in a season.”

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Dodger rookie Paul Konerko was given the Fresco Thompson Award, which goes to the most valuable player in the Freeway Series. He had three home runs, two in Friday’s 8-1 Dodger victory.

The Dodgers’ Ramon Martinez, who threw two shutout innings Friday, was given the Lefty Phillips Award, which goes to the best pitcher in the series.

The Angels lost two of three games, but still lead the series, 45-39-1.

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The Angels will finish their spring training schedule today with a game against Cal State Fullerton at 3 p.m. at Titan Field.

Pitcher Jason Dickson, though, finishes his spring a day later, as he will start for Class-A Lake Elsinore against Rancho Cucamonga.

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The Dodgers finished their spring schedule with an 18-10-1 record. The Angels were 16-15.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

DODGER OPENING-DAY ROSTER

* Catchers (2)--Mike Piazza, Tom Prince

* Infielders (7)--Paul Konerko, Eric Young, Jose Vizcaino, Todd Zeile, Juan Castro, Wilton Guerrero, Matt Luke.

* Outfielders (5)--Todd Hollandsworth, Thomas Howard, Raul Mondesi, Mike Devereaux, Trenidad Hubbard

* Pitchers (11)--Ramon Martinez, Chan Ho Park, Ismael Valdes, Hideo Nomo, Darren Dreifort, Mark Guthrie, Darren Hall, Scott Radinsky, Antonio Osuna, Jim Bruske, Frank Lankford

Note: Angels will announce their 25-man roster after today’s exhibition game against CS Fullerton.