Sele Is Sent to Bullpen Despite Solid Numbers

Aaron Sele’s victory in the series opener wasn’t enough to save his spot in the starting rotation. Neither were his numbers, which are better than the pitcher who is replacing him.

The 36-year-old veteran has pitched well -- going 7-4 with a 3.95 earned-run average in 16 games -- but his contributions in the near future will be from the bullpen because Greg Maddux will take his place.

Part of the reason Sele was demoted is that Manager Grady Little says Sele would be more effective in relief than rookie Chad Billingsley or left-hander Mark Hendrickson. The Dodgers say putting Billingsley in the bullpen could impede his development and feared the 6-foot-9 Hendrickson would have difficulty with the adjustment.

The Dodgers are carrying 12 pitchers, a situation that could change when second baseman Jeff Kent comes off the disabled list as early as this weekend. Also, first baseman Nomar Garciaparra should be activated from the disabled list as soon as he is eligible Wednesday.

“At that time, we will reevaluate the 12 pitchers,” Little said.

An alternative to trimming the pitching staff this weekend would be for Kent to play first base until Garciaparra is activated, enabling the Dodgers to send rookie first baseman James Loney to triple-A Las Vegas.

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Billingsley’s parents should get to see him pitch for the first time when the Dodgers visit Chicago in September. Although they drove several hours from Defiance, Ohio, for this week’s series against the Reds, their son was bumped from his start tonight in favor of Maddux.

Little made the decision before he knew Billingsley’s parents were in Cincinnati. Billingsley’s father has battled cancer and has had a stroke, making it difficult for him to travel.

“He takes it day by day,” Billingsley said.

Little said he would do his best to make sure Billingsley starts a game against the Cubs.

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Russell Martin Sr., father of the Dodgers’ catcher of the same name, performed the national anthems of the U.S. and Canada on his saxophone Sunday as part of a ceremony in Ottawa commemorating Jackie Robinson’s minor league debut with the Montreal Royals in 1946.

The ceremony was held at Lynx Stadium, home of the Ottawa Lynx of the International League. The elder Martin was 2 years old and living in Montreal when Robinson broke the color barrier in the minors, one year before doing so with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

“I don’t know if Russ would be where he is today if it hadn’t been for Jackie Robinson,” Martin said.

“He was an inspiration to me and that’s where my love and passion for baseball began.”

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Tropical storm Chris, which weather reports indicate is developing into a hurricane, could hit the south coast of Florida on Sunday morning, when the Dodgers are scheduled to play the last game of their series against the Marlins.