GLENDALE, Ariz. — Russell Martin still has his sights set on being in the starting lineup when the Dodgers open the season April 5 at Pittsburgh.
“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 Rangers players in Surprise, Ariz. He went 2-for-2 and scored a run.
“I was pain-free,” he said. “I felt comfortable in the box. The next step is to eventually get to nine innings, catching-wise.”
Martin is set to catch six innings and hit leadoff for six at-bats in a Triple-A game for the Dodgers today.
Meanwhile, right-hander Vicente Padilla will get the nod for the Dodgers in their opener against the Pirates five months after a gunshot wound to his leg nearly ended his career. Padilla is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three spring starts.
Molina out for spring
JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina will likely sit out the rest of spring training because of a right oblique injury.
Manager Tony La Russa said the Cardinals will be “really patient and really optimistic” about the injury and that “we’ve got our fingers crossed for the early part of the season.” The team expects to know more today.
Footnotes.
Mariners left- hander Cliff Lee said he still feels the strain in his abdominal muscle following his second short throwing session on flat ground in three days.
• Jim Edmonds, making a comeback after taking the 2009 season off, had his minor- league contract purchased, giving the 39-year-old Gold Glove center fielder a spot on the Brewers’ 40-man roster.
• The Yankees selected Phil Hughes ahead of Joba Chamberlain as the team’s fifth starter, and released pitcher Chad Gaudin.
