DODGERS NOTEBOOK: NOMO WANTS TO START OPENER.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer VERO BEACH Vero Beach (vēr`o), city (1990 pop. 17,350), seat of Indian River co., E Fla., on Indian River (a lagoon and part of the Intracoastal Waterway); founded c.1888, inc. 1919. , Fla. - Still no announcement from the Dodgers, but last season's ace, right-hander Hideo Nomo Hideo Nomo (born Aug. 31, 1968 , Osaka, Japan) Japanese baseball pitcher whose success with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995 created new opportunities for Asian players in Major League Baseball. , said he would like to open the season March 31 in Arizona. He made the statement after pitching two scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League opener against Detroit. ``It's the team's decision as to who is going to pitch opening day, but like I said, I would like to pitch opening day,'' Nomo said. ``If I get to do that, then I get to pitch in more games throughout the season.'' The Dodgers expect to see perennial Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson (born September 10, 1963), nicknamed "the Big Unit in the season opener in Phoenix. Manager Jim Tracy
``What I want to know is that the picture is clear to where I'm giving the right information,'' Tracy said. ``I don't want to jump the gun and hand out information that I turn around, and 24 or 48 hours later have to retract TO RETRACT. To withdraw a proposition or offer before it has been accepted. 2. This the party making it has a right to do is long as it has not been accepted; for no principle of law or equity can, under these circumstances, require him to persevere in it. it. I'm not doing that.'' Nomo made a career-high 34 starts in going 16-6 with a 3.39 ERA last season. He established himself as the staff ace with a terrific run in which he lost once in 16 starts after the All-Star break. ``It's a little early to be discussing that,'' Dodgers pitching coach Jim Colborn
Nomo's last opening-day start came in 2000 when he opposed Oakland as a member of the Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Tigers have played in Comerica Park. . He said he made two opening-day starts when pitching for Kintetsu in Japan. ``To some pitchers, there is some prestige, but to me, it's not a big concern. I guess it varies between players,'' Nomo said. ``If I were to start pitching, then I would like to start as early as possible because during the season I would like to pitch as many times as possible.'' --Gagne's learning curve: Record-setting closer Eric Gagne pitched a scoreless inning in his first spring outing but didn't mind giving up a double because he threw six curveballs in the inning. It's part of Gagne's spring experiment to gain consistency with his curveball. ``I just want to show it to put it in the hitter's mind,'' Gagne said. ``You don't have to have a good curveball. You just have to show it and not get beat with it.'' Gagne, who saved 52 games last season, estimated he threw 25 to 30 curveballs in 2002. Colborn said Gagne also will work on a slider A block of material that holds the read/write head of a magnetic disk. See flying head. this spring to complement his changeup and fastball. --Green close: Dodgers All-Star right fielder Shawn Green, bothered by shoulder tendinitis, plans to make his spring debut in a few days. ``I think either Sunday or Monday,'' Green said. ``It's feeling a lot better.'' --Hermansen's aching eye: Outfielder Chad Hermansen's health issues continue, and this time it is a scratched cornea cornea: see eye. in his left eye that will keep him from making today's trip to play Detroit. Hermansen was examined by an eye doctor and must wear a contact lens contact lens, thin plastic lens worn between the eye and eyelid that may be used instead of eyeglasses. Actors, models, and others wear them for appearance, and athletes use them for safety and convenience. in his left eye the next few days. Hermansen said he will be examined again today and is hopeful to have his vision cleared in 48 hours. He is rehabilitating his right shoulder from offseason surgery and can't throw far enough to play the outfield. He was slated to be the designated hitter against the Tigers, and the Dodgers don't play another road game against an American League team until March 7, limiting his chances. --Odds and ends: The Dodgers gave Taiwanese infielder Chin-Lung Hu a $215,000 bonus to sign a free-agent contract and he is expected in minor-league camp next week. The Dodgers will look at Hu at shortstop, but he also plays second base. ... Utility player Larry Barnes, who homered in both intrasquad games and had two hits and the game-winning double against the Tigers, will miss today's game with a bruised right ankle. Barnes fouled a pitch off his foot and is day-to-day. ... Dodgers right-hander Andy Ashby said he will throw batting practice either Saturday or Sunday before appearing in his first spring game Tuesday. ... If all goes well with a bullpen session today, right-hander Kevin Brown will make his spring debut Sunday against Houston. CAPTION(S): box Box: DODGERS vs. DETROIT |
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