Park Says No. 2 Job Would Be First-Rate

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Journalists from South Korea were hoping Chan Ho Park would be named as the Dodgers’ starting pitcher on opening day.

But that assignment went to Ramon Martinez.

However, Manager Bill Russell is expected to select Park as the team’s No. 2 starter. That means the right-hander would start in the home opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 7.

“That would be great. It would be a big honor for me,” said Park, who went 14-8 with a 3.38 earned-run average last season.

“But where I am in the rotation doesn’t matter to me. The only important thing is that I am in the rotation and I stay healthy for the whole year.”

Park said he is pleased that Martinez will start the opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 31.

“Ramon deserves to start,” he said. “He has pitched great in spring training, and I’m happy for him.”

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It appears right-hander Frank Lankford has earned a job in the bullpen.

He has been impressive in his recent relief appearances, inspiring confidence among coaches and teammates. There are two spots open in the bullpen, and the Dodgers believe Lankford can contribute.

“We really like what we’ve seen from him lately,” pitching coach Glenn Gregson said. “He was a little shaky at the beginning, but he’s come along and shown what he can do.”

The Dodgers acquired Lankford in the Rule V draft from the New York Yankees. He throws four pitches--fastball, curveball, slider and changeup--and has good command.

“I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback,” he said. “I guess I was kind of nervous at the start of the spring, and I made some dumb pitches. But I feel good about what I’ve done in the past couple of weeks, and I’m hoping for the best.”