- Thread starter
- #1
HPC
New member
:? :? :? :? :?
Going into his 11th major-league season, Vicente Padilla has earned an accolade he's never experienced - being the Opening Day starter.
Padilla will get the nod for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their opener April 5 at Pittsburgh, five months after a gunshot wound to his leg nearly ended his career.
Manager Joe Torre said Thursday that Padilla's performance in the playoffs last season helped land him the spot.
"I'm very happy he had the confidence for me to pitch the first game," Padilla said through a translator. "I'm really grateful."
Meanwhile, Russell Martin still has his sights set on being in the starting lineup when the Dodgers open the season.
"I'm not certain, but I'm fairly optimistic," he said.
Martin, out since March 7 because of a groin injury, caught four innings in a minor league game Thursday against Texas Rangers players in Surprise.
Going into his 11th major-league season, Vicente Padilla has earned an accolade he's never experienced - being the Opening Day starter.
Padilla will get the nod for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their opener April 5 at Pittsburgh, five months after a gunshot wound to his leg nearly ended his career.
Manager Joe Torre said Thursday that Padilla's performance in the playoffs last season helped land him the spot.
"I'm very happy he had the confidence for me to pitch the first game," Padilla said through a translator. "I'm really grateful."
Meanwhile, Russell Martin still has his sights set on being in the starting lineup when the Dodgers open the season.
"I'm not certain, but I'm fairly optimistic," he said.
Martin, out since March 7 because of a groin injury, caught four innings in a minor league game Thursday against Texas Rangers players in Surprise.
