Johnson Pleased After First Look

The new-look Dodgers finally returned to the field Friday after an off-season of major remodeling.

The Houston Astros defeated the Dodgers, 6-2, at Dodgertown in a Grapefruit League opener. The Dodgers hope the beginning of the exhibition season marks better times for them.

“I saw some good things,” Manager Davey Johnson said. “We got started down the road we want to go, and now we just have to keep building on that.

“You don’t expect to have it all figured out [at this point], you want to work on the things you need to work on. We’ve done some good things in camp, and we’re going to build on that.”

New right fielder Shawn Green had a run-scoring single in his first at-bat, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Mark Grudzielanek appeared steady at second base in his first test since moving from shortstop, and Todd Hollandsworth, competing to start in center field, singled twice in two at-bats before 3,327 at Holman Stadium.

Moreover, rookie left-hander Jeff Williams fared well in his first assignment. Williams relieved starter Mike Judd in the third and worked out of a jam after shortstop Alex Cora committed an error.

With one out and runners at second and third, Williams struck out Moises Alou and induced an inning-ending grounder from Bill Spiers.

“Williams looked real good,” Johnson said. “He made some good pitches to good hitters and got five outs. That’s what you want.”

Judd struggled in two innings, giving up five hits--including two home runs--and three runs. Judd, expected to return to triple-A Albuquerque this season, said he was nervous.

“A lot of butterflies,” said Judd, 3-1 with a 5.46 earned-run average after being recalled from Albuquerque last season. “I didn’t expect to do a perfect job, but I was nervous and it affected the way I threw.”

Johnson said Judd will have to pitch exceptionally well to crack the starting rotation, considering there are already six pitchers competing for five spots.

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Dodger Chairman Bob Daly and agent Scott Boras are expected to resume talks today about a multiyear contract for Adrian Beltre.

Daly and Boras took a break Friday after negotiating for almost 11 hours Monday through Thursday. Several baseball officials said they believe Daly and Boras will reach an agreement next week.

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Left-hander Onan Masaoka and right-hander Mike Fetters, slowed by injuries, threw in the bullpen without discomfort.

Masaoka is recovering from a sprained left ankle and Fetters has a strained left quadriceps.