Torre says Russell Martin will be ready to start opener

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Turns out, Russell Martin knew his body pretty well.

Manager Joe Torre said after Thursday’s game that he expects Martin to start the Dodgers’ season opener Monday in Pittsburgh.

Martin suffered a pulled groin early in spring training and was originally expected to be out for four to six weeks. Six weeks would have meant missing at least the first two weeks of the season. Martin pledged to be back to start the season.

Now, after catching six innings Thursday against the Indians, he is scheduled to start the opener.

‘That’s what we’re expecting right now,’ Torre said. ‘Once we made the commitment to play him in the regular spring-training games, we pretty much made that choice, as opposed to starting him on the DL.’

Martin first successfully played some camp minor league games. He hasn’t, however, been able to duplicate that success at the plate with the Dodgers. He’s 0-for-6 with a pair of walks in regular spring games.

‘I’m very comfortable,’ Torre said. ‘I think the only thing he’ll be a little behind on is getting his rhythm and timing [at the plate]. But hopefully he’ll get that done shortly.’

-- Steve Dilbeck