Cedeno’s Mode Is Relaxed

VERO BEACH, Fla. —  Dodger outfielder Roger Cedeno has a new outlook, which he says is long overdue.

Cedeno isn’t succumbing to pressure anymore, no matter how hot things get. If his best isn’t good enough, Cedeno won’t try to do more than he can. But by learning to relax, Cedeno believes his best should get the job done.

“In the past, I made problems for myself,” said Cedeno, who is competing to start in center field. “I put pressure on myself and I made mistakes. I didn’t play the way I could, but I’m not going to do that again.”

He went one for three in the Dodgers’ 7-5 exhibition loss Saturday to the Baltimore Orioles at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He hit a two-run home run in the Dodgers’ first Grapefruit League game, and he’s encouraged by his performance.

“Everything is going good now,” Cedeno said. “I think [the coaches] see how hard I’ve worked, and how I’ve [improved]. I worked very hard this winter to get ready.”

Cedeno underwent season-ending surgery Aug. 26 after fracturing the big toe of his left foot during a game at Pittsburgh the previous day. He was batting .273 when the injury occurred, and he finally had displayed the potential to be an everyday player.

“My foot is about 90% right now,” Cedeno said. “It doesn’t hurt, but it still gets a little stiff. I didn’t play winter ball this year, so I’m just getting my timing back now.”

The Dodgers moved Cedeno, 22, to the front of the depth chart as spring training opened, hoping he would continue to build on last season. So far, he hasn’t disappointed.

“Roger is going to get the first shot [in center],” Manager Bill Russell said. “He has to produce, but we’re going to give him every opportunity to keep the job.”

The Dodgers are trying to convert infielder Wilton Guerrero to an outfielder because of his offensive skills, and he has been working exclusively in center. In keeping with his new attitude, Cedeno isn’t worried about his new challenger.

“Wilton can help the team in a lot of areas, so we have to have him somewhere,” Cedeno said. “But I know I can help the team too.”

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Right-hander Darren Dreifort started against the Orioles, and pitching coach Glenn Gregson was satisfied with what he saw.

“Overall, I was very impressed,” Gregson said. “He mixed his speeds well and threw about eight or nine changeups. Quite frankly, we’re not where we would like to be with the changeup, but we’re making progress.”

Dreifort gave up two runs on four hits in three innings but didn’t lose any ground to left-hander Dennis Reyes in their battle for the fifth spot in the rotation, Gregson said.