Arizona right-hander Dan Haren says he is more comfortable pitching every fifth day, instead of every fifth game, which leads to extra rest between a bulk of the starts because of off days. The Diamondbacks have a situation that could allow Haren his desire. They want to limit the workload for Max Scherzer, who is expected to be a part of the rotation.

Scherzer has yet to pitch 110 innings in a full season. A first-round draft choice out of the University of Missouri in 2006, Scherzer made his pro debut in 2007 by pitching at Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A, but worked only 106 2/3 innings. Last year, when he split time between Triple-A and the big leagues, Scherzer pitched 109 innings.

He was 0-4 with the Diamondbacks, but had a 3.05 ERA in 16 games, seven starts.

LOS ANGELES
The Dodgers are “interested” in discussing right-hander Pedro Martinez, who is hoping that the six shutout innings he pitched against the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic will create a market. Originally signed by the Dodgers, but traded to Montreal during the 1993 season for second baseman Delino DeShields, Martinez was slowed by injuries the last three years with the Mets.

The Dodgers are concerned about the fifth spot in the rotation. Current candidates are lefty Eric Milton, and right-handers Jason Schmidt and Claudio Vargas.
So much for Manny Ramirez and the “team first: approach. When he was scratched from what was to have been his first start of the spring on Thursday, Ramirez left the spring complex before the game even started.

SAN DIEGO
The Padres have enough concern about potential fifth starter Josh Geer that they have been checking out Jeff Niemann with Tampa Bay and former Rockies right-hander Jason Jennings, who is signed to a minor-league deal with Texas. Niemann and Jennings were both first-round draft pick.

Geer threw his slider for the first time this spring on Thursday. His fastball has topped out at 85 miles per hour. He has been diagnosed with fraying in his left elbow ligament.

Padres farm system was ranked 29th by Baseball America.

SAN FRANCISCO
The Giants are expanding their presence in Japan. The Giants signed Shun Kakazu, a native of Japan and Harvard graduate, to oversee scouting in the Asian country. He has worked the last three years with the Chiba Lotte Marines, who are managed by Bobby Valentine.
The Giants join the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees and Red Sox in having a full-time scout in Japan.

Ryan Mantle, the Giants 19th-round draft choice a year ago, is a distant relative to Mickey Mantle. His grandfather was a first cousin to Mantle. Ryan, however, said he never met the late Yankee Hall of Famer.

A right-fielder last year in the Arizona Rookie League, Mantle hit .310 with one home run in 159 at-bats.