Dodgers: Sunday morning spring training notes

PHOENIX -- Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said this morning that the names of Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda were the first to come to mind when he thought about who could be the Dodgers' opening-day starter.

Torre also spoke briefly about Juan Pierre, calling him "a pro" for the way he handled his situation last season. Asked if the Dodgers could afford to trade Pierre if they sign Manny Ramirez, Torre said he wasn't sure. "He's certainly valuable, but you're sensitive to his desires too," he said.

Torre joked about the Dodgers' clubhouse, which has no heating at the moment. "You could hang meat in this [place]," he said.

-- Dylan Hernandez

Photo: Veteran starter Hiroki Kuroda delivers a pitch against the Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series last season. Kuroda gave up two runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times