Frustrated Guerrero Requests a Trade

Wilton Guerrero wants out.

The second-year player requested to be traded Saturday after being optioned to triple-A Albuquerque to help make room on the 25-man roster for the four players acquired Friday night in the historic Mike Piazza trade.

“I’m tired of this,” he said . “They did this to me last year, and now they want me to [go to Albuquerque] again.

“Why can’t somebody else go, why does it have to be me? This is wrong . . . I’m not going to do it.”

The switch-hitting Guerrero was also optioned to Albuquerque last August. An infielder/outfielder, Guerrero has played in 30 games this season, and he is batting .228 (13 for 57) with six runs batted in.

He has been the team’s primary pinch-hitter, batting .357 (five for 14).

But with former Marlin outfielders Gary Sheffield and Jim Eisenreich on the team, his role would decrease. And team officials want Guerrero, 23, to play regularly. He is expected to work primarily in center field for the Dukes.

“Wilton is a very talented player, there’s no question about that,” said Fred Claire, executive vice president. “But we were in a position where we had to make two moves to get our roster to 25, and Wilton will benefit by playing every day.”

To complete their 25-man roster moves, outfielder Trenidad Hubbard went on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 14, because of a sprained left knee.

TODAY’S GAME

DODGERS’ RAMON MARTINEZ (4-2, 3.19 ERA)

vs.

EXPOS’ MIKE JOHNSON (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Dodger Stadium, 1 p.m.

Radio--AM 1150, KWKW (1330).

* Update--Martinez has pitched at least seven innings in six of nine starts, and he is tied for second in the National League with 58 strikeouts.