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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Smoltz likely choice for opening day

Associated Press

It’s all but official: John Smoltz will be the opening day starter for the Atlanta Braves.

While manager Bobby Cox hasn’t revealed his choice, he’s already set up his spring pitching schedule in such a way that Smoltz would be ready to go in the April 5 opener at Florida.

Smoltz, the only player who has been with the Braves for their entire run of 13 straight division titles, is returning to the starting rotation after spending the last three years as the closer, earning 144 saves.

The only other pitcher who warrants consideration for the honor is Tim Hudson, a former 20-game winner who pitched on opening day several times for the Oakland A’s.

But Hudson is a newcomer in Atlanta, coming over to the Braves in an offseason trade. He wouldn’t even feel comfortable making the opening day start instead of Smoltz.

“Even if they asked me to do it,” Hudson said, “I wouldn’t want to do it.”

Smoltz said he doesn’t care who starts the first game.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “Whenever I make my first pitch, it’s going to be an exciting time for me.”

The rotation will likely fall this way: Smoltz, Hudson, Mike Hampton, John Thomson and Horacio Ramirez. Hampton will start the first Grapefruit League game on Thursday.

Matsui waits on extension

New York Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui doesn’t expect talks on his possible contract extension to be completed during spring training.

Arn Tellem, Matsui’s agent, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman started negotiations Saturday.

Matsui is due $8 million in 2005, the final season of a $21 million, three-year deal. He has a clause in his contract that requires the Yankees to put him on waivers unless a new contract is agreed to by Nov. 15.

“Probably not going to be anything that’s going to happen prior to the beginning of the season,” Matsui said through an interpreter.

Bonds takes batting practice

Barry Bonds’ surgically repaired right knee is getting stronger every day. So is his desire to get back in action with the San Francisco Giants.

Less than four weeks after arthroscopic surgery, the slugger surprised his teammates and coaches by jumping into the batting cage. He faced nine pitches from new closer Armando Benitez at the club’s spring training stadium.

Clearing the bases

Anaheim Angels right-hander Kelvim Escobar, who had shoulder stiffness in January, threw off the mound for the first time and did not experience any soreness. Manager Mike Scioscia said earlier in the week that Escobar likely would drop to the No. 5 spot in the rotation out of camp as a precautionary move. … St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Matt Morris threw his first batting practice session since having minor shoulder surgery in December. … Ben Sheets, another starter recovering from offseason surgery, threw batting practice at Milwaukee’s spring training facility in Phoenix. … Brad Penny took another step in his recovery from a rare nerve injury in his right biceps, throwing his third bullpen session of the spring for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Norihiro Nakamura‘s visa problems have apparently been resolved. Dodgers’ manager Jim Tracy said he was told the Japanese infielder will arrive at the team’s spring training facility late Tuesday. … Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Oliver Perez threw off the mound for the first time since injuring his left shoulder by sleeping awkwardly on it earlier this month. … Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay will make the first start of the season for Toronto, against Tampa Bay April 4th.