Saito Is a Vocal Presence

VERO BEACH, Fla. —  Takashi Saito expects a package from Japan any day. Then he can put away the bright red glove he has been using and break out -- and break in -- the blue one that will arrive.

It’s tough enough trying to make the big leagues after 14 seasons in Japan, not knowing the language well, or his teammates, his coaches and opposing batters. He realizes he might as well fit in where he can.

“A couple guys have told me the red glove is [weird],” he said.

Saito has become a friend of pitcher Brad Penny, who taped about a dozen of his baseball cards to Saito’s locker. Penny also took Saito to a karaoke bar and was dazzled by his voice.

So Penny convinced his new friend to sing “Hey Jude” in the clubhouse. He sang along to a tape, which was warped, forcing Saito to slow, then speed up the tempo.

“He’s got an incredible voice,” Penny said. “It was hilarious and he did a great job with it.”

Saito, 36, is also doing well on the mound. The right-hander is competing for a bullpen spot, and in nine innings has given up six hits and three runs.

“I am pitching with a lot of confidence,” he said. “This is my first time in the U.S. and I’m not familiar with the hitters. So I’ve been throwing what the catcher asks for.”

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Penny, who has a 4.63 earned-run average in 11 2/3 innings, has been focusing on his curveball, throwing a side session Friday and working with Sandy Koufax on Sunday. He was reluctant to cut loose with the pitch last season because of the nerve biceps injury he suffered in 2004.

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Every pitcher strives to throw first-pitch strikes, but Derek Lowe takes the concept a bit further. “I throw the first pitch down the middle,” he said. “It’s that important to me to get ahead in the count.

“Even if a guy hits it, it’s not jacking up my pitch count.”

Lowe needed only 74 pitches to work six innings in the Dodgers’ 9-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

In three starts, he has given up one run in 13 innings, striking out 11 and walking none.

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Catcher Dioner Navarro said 90% of the pain in his strained right hamstring is gone and he believes he can play in a few games before the season begins.

If Navarro is not able to do so, he might open the season at triple-A Las Vegas on a rehabilitation assignment. He has only one hit in 16 at-bats. Rookie Russell Martin would play until Navarro is ready, with Sandy Alomar Jr. as the backup.

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Ricky Ledee homered and doubled in his first game since returning from the World Baseball Classic, where he played for Puerto Rico.... J.D. Drew wanted more at-bats, so he played in a minor league intrasquad game and batted six times.... Vin Scully broadcast his first spring game and will remain with the team for a week.