Martin Makes Case for Top NL Rookie

Does anybody still consider Russell Martin a rookie?

He hopes rookie-of-the-year voters do. Otherwise, Martin appreciates being accepted and depended upon by veterans.

Martin might not have quite the offensive numbers of several other rookies, including teammate Andre Ethier. But he is a catcher, and that adds value not measured in statistics.

“He’s got a lot on his shoulders,” Manager Grady Little said. “The pitchers all have different personalities and he’s done a great job handling them all.”

Martin is a workhorse and a winner. He caught nine of the 10 games on the recent trip, the first three of the homestand and 102 of 120 since being called up from triple-A Las Vegas. The Dodgers are 62-40 with him behind the plate.

He has thrown out an above-average 31.4% of runners trying to steal and has only four passed balls. Only Brad Ausmus of the Houston Astros and Ivan Rodriguez of the Detroit Tigers have fewer passed balls among starting catchers.

Only six full-time catchers have been selected rookie of the year since the award was first given in 1947, three in each league.

Mike Piazza (1992), Benito Santiago (1987) and Johnny Bench (1968) were National League rookies of the year and Sandy Alomar Jr. (1990), Carlton Fisk (1972) and Thurman Munson (1970) won the award in the American League.

Little said Martin, who produced the Dodgers’ only run Sunday with a score-tying home run in the seventh inning, would be a worthy addition to that list. But he’s uncertain whether enough voters appreciate him.

“We have the benefit of watching him day in and day out,” Little said. “People across the country might not be watching him as often as we do.”

*

Nomar Garciaparra’s left thigh has healed enough for the Dodgers to plan on him returning to the lineup tonight after not starting two games. He pinch-hit in the ninth Sunday and struck out.

“He asked to get in there [Sunday] but we thought it wasn’t wise,” Little said. “It’s unlike the knee injury he had earlier, where it’s a pain tolerance thing. This injury, he could pop it altogether and be out two weeks. We can’t afford that.”

*

Chad Billingsley is scheduled to start Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates despite his dismal one-inning performance Saturday. The rookie right-hander was rusty after sitting out since Aug. 27 because of a strained muscle in his left side.

“We think he can get back to where he was before he got hurt,” Little said.

Little reiterated that he would use Greg Maddux and Derek Lowe on three days’ rest the last week of the season.

*

steve.henson@latimes.com