Hollandsworth Says He’ll Be Ready

Todd Hollandsworth has learned a painful lesson.

The Dodger left fielder realizes he returned too quickly from the left hamstring strain he suffered earlier in spring training, and that he aggravated the injury because he worked too hard during his rehabilitation program. He said he will follow orders this time, and he believes he will be ready to start on opening day Tuesday against the Cardinals at St. Louis.

“Yeah, I’m going to behave myself this time,” he said. “I didn’t do everything I should have done, and more than I should have, because I was trying to hurry up and get back out there. But I know it didn’t make any sense to do that.”

He played in only 11 of the Dodgers’ 26 games in Florida. In order to test his left hamstring, Hollandsworth is expected to play considerably during the three-game Freeway Series against the Angels, which begins tonight at Anaheim Stadium.

It doesn’t appear that the Dodgers will put Hollandsworth on the disabled list, but his availability might be limited early in the season.

Hollandsworth is hitting .400 (14 for 35) with two home runs and six runs batted in.

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Center fielder Roger Cedeno faces pressure to produce immediately when he returns from the 15-day disabled list.

He has played in only three games because of a right hamstring strain, and many now believe the Dodgers’ best lineup doesn’t include Cedeno. Touted rookie Paul Konerko worked in left field during much of the spring, and seemingly adapted well to his fourth position change since being drafted by the organization in 1994.

He will play first base--his best position--until Eric Karros returns after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. But if Konerko produces as much as expected, he will remain in the everyday lineup in left, with Hollandsworth probably shifting to center.

“[Konerko] has pushed a lot of guys,” Manager Bill Russell said. “And that’s exactly the way it should be.”