Seen and heard at Dodgertown

- Chad Billingsley was scheduled to start in tomorrow's spring opener, but was scratched due to tightness in his right groin that recently developed. The discomfort is considered minor, as Billingsley will still throw in a simulated game. That said, he did say that the groin might have caused him to skip a start in an in-season situation. During the offseason, he spent time at Dodgertown working out with first-round picks Justin Orenduff and Chris Withrow. Jason Johnson gets the nod instead tomorrow.

- Joe Torre declared Nomar Garciaparra the favorite to start at third base over Andy LaRoche. "Being the veteran guy, he has the inside track in being the starting third baseman," Torre said. Torre said he could tell LaRoche has been a bit anxious during the intrasquad games.

- Dodger Idol kicked off today with guest judges Jeff Kent (Simon), Juan Pierre (Randy) and physical therapist Sue Falsone (Paula). Word on the street is that the judges dressed the part, with Kent donning a tight black shirt.

- Troy from West Virginia has landed, and Joe Beimel was indeed ready. Troy and his stepson received a bat and glove from the left-hander, who left Troy a little starry-eyed. "He was like...," said Beimel, with his mouth agape and the "whoa" not coming out. "Dude, I'm as full of (it) as anybody else."