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L.A. 'Curious' About Pedro

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The Associated Press

Published: March 13, 2009

PHOENIX - Pedro Martinez has caught the attention of Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti.

Colletti said Thursday at spring training he is "curious" about the possibility of filling the team's fifth spot in the rotation with the free agent right-hander. Martinez pitched six innings of one-hit ball for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic last week.
Manager Joe Torre calls Martinez a tough competitor who may not have the velocity he once had, but has the know-how and ability to keep a hitter off-balance.

"With his history, and I've had firsthand experience facing him so many times, he's a tough competitor," Torre said. "He was the best in this game at one time. Just from what little I've seen of him, he may not have the velocity he once had, but he certainly has the know-how and the ability to keep the hitter off-balance."

The 37-year-old, three-time Cy Young Award winner broke in with the Dodgers in 1992 and was traded to Montreal for Delino DeShields a year later.

Injuries have limited Martinez during the past three seasons with the New York Mets.

Manny Scratched From First Start

Manny Ramirez's spring training debut was pushed back at least one more day.

The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger was scratched from Thursday's exhibition game against South Korea because of tightness in his left hamstring. Ramirez said he could have played, but Manager Joe Torre decided to give him the day off.

"It's going to get better, so I'm not worried about it," said Ramirez, who had been in the lineup as a designated hitter. "I'm not disappointed. You've got plenty of time to get ready. That's in my favor, so I'm going to take it day by day."

Ramirez has been showing up before dawn to get in playing shape after missing the first two weeks of spring training. He said his hamstring tightened up as he ran from second base to home during a drill before batting practice Thursday morning.

Ramirez said he told Torre he wanted to play.

ATHLETICS: Oakland city officials are asking for Commissioner Bud Selig's help in developing a plan to build a new stadium for the Athletics.

Mayor Ron Dellums and City Council President Jane Brunner asked Selig in a letter Thursday to appoint a point person to a new committee working on building a ballpark in the city.

CUBS: Carlos Zambrano was selected Thursday to make his fifth straight Opening Day start for Chicago.

Manager Lou Piniella said he picked Zambrano over Ryan Dempster for the April 6 start against Houston after discussing the choice with pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

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