BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Fonville No Longer Everyday Player

While Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda maintained his pledge and started Roger Cedeno in center field, even leading him off, Chad Fonville discovered Friday that his job security lasted only two weeks.

Fonville was yanked out of the starting lineup Friday and replaced by rookie left fielder Todd Hollandsworth. Lasorda said that Hollandsworth probably will stay in left field throughout the three-game series, and with right-handed hitting outfielder Billy Ashley expected to return from the disabled list next week, Fonville again may be back on the bench in a utility role.

“[Lasorda] told me I’m the everyday left fielder,” Fonville said, “then he changes his mind. What will he tell me next? . . . Don’t jerk me around.”

Fonville expressed no anger while talking but clearly was exasperated. He realizes that he’s in a three-for-29 skid [.103], lowering his average to .269. but as he says, “The whole team is in a slump.”

Third baseman Mike Blowers also was benched in place of Mike Busch and was told that he will return to the lineup by Monday.

“I’m not happy about it,” Blowers said, “but right now we’re struggling and Tommy has to change things around. I’m not going to criticize him for that. I’m hitting .200. What can I say?”

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Brett Butler’s throat was feeling slightly better Friday. He was up and around the house, ran a few errands and briefly talked.

He is following the Dodgers as closely as possible, watching their games on his satellite dish. And when he can’t watch the games, he’s constantly checking on them with his new electronic device that automatically updates sports scores.

And yes, he misses the game, still maintaining his his hopes of one day returning after his battle with cancer.

“That chapter in my life may be closed,” Butler said, “but I’m not going to rule anything out. I’m going to keep fighting and see what happens.”

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Ramon Martinez, who pitched seven strong innings Wednesday night for Class-A Vero Beach in his second rehabilitative start, will be activated Tuesday or Wednesday and pitch against the Montreal Expos. “I’m ready to go,” said Martinez, who yielded five hits and one unearned run in his 102-pitch performance. “It’s going to take some time before I don’t feel anything [with the strained groin]. I can feel it just a little bit.”

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Lasorda managed his 3,000th game Friday, becoming only the 13th manager in major league history to accomplish the feat.