Contributing to Victory Helps Vizcaino Adjust to Role

Jose Vizcaino still believes he should be in the lineup, and the veteran infielder figures he may be again someday.

But for now, Vizcaino has accepted a reserve role on the ballclub, focusing on doing his part to help the Dodgers win. This isn’t what he wanted, but he’s adjusting.

“You never want to be on the bench, you always want to be in the lineup and helping the team, but everybody has to do their job,” the versatile Vizcaino said. “This is my job now, and I’m going to play hard whenever I get a chance. If I get chances to help the team, that’s all I want.”

Vizcaino is already a hit in his new job, contributing to an 8-6 come-from-behind victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on opening day.

After pinch-hitting for reliever Mel Rojas in the seventh inning, Vizcaino took over for starting shortstop Mark Grudzielanek.

Vizcaino opened the ninth with an infield single and scored ahead of Raul Mondesi, who tied the score, 6-6, with a two-out, three-run homer. Mondesi won the game in the 11th with a two-out, two-run homer.

“That makes you feel good when you can come through and help the team,” Vizcaino said. “That makes it [his new role] easier.”

That was Manager Davey Johnson’s plan.

“He’s good at this,” said Johnson, who is using the switch-hitting Vizcaino as a pinch-hitter and backup at shortstop and second base. “I know this is not what he envisioned, but my job is to use the talent we have in the best way to win games.”

Vizcaino said the support of his teammates has also made the transition from starter to reserve smoother.

“A lot of guys came up to me and told me that the team needs me, and they all know what I can do, so just stay positive,” Vizcaino said. “They said they want me on the team, and that means a lot to me, when your teammates support you like that.”

Second baseman Eric Young said Vizcaino will be among the keys to the Dodgers achieving their big goals.

“Before this year is over, Viz is going to make a lot of big plays,” Young said. “He’s going to come through a lot for us, that’s why we need to have him here.”

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Team President Bob Graziano took the high road concerning comments made about the Dodgers by Disney Chairman Michael Eisner in Tuesday’s editions of The Times.

Eisner said Disney is in competition in many areas with rival entertainment conglomerate Fox, which owns the Dodgers, but “their baseball team doesn’t compare to our baseball team. So, in that area, we don’t have to worry about the competition. . . . It’s the quality of players, and the quality of how we’re going to win. They’re the lesser team in the market. They’re just going to have to deal with that.”

Graziano didn’t take the bait.

“What we’ve said all along is that we’re going to let our team, on and off the field, speak for itself,” he said. “We’ve got a tremendous group of players who have worked incredibly hard on the field, and have been incredibly dedicated to the community off the field.

“The Angels have a quality organization, and it really isn’t useful to try and compare ourselves to anyone, especially an American League team.”

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The agent for reliever Greg Cadaret said the left-hander has declined a minor league assignment, becoming a free agent.

Barry Meister said Cadaret would not report to triple-A Albuquerque, enabling Cadaret to sign with another team. Cadaret was designated for assignment Sunday after he failed to earn a spot in the bullpen.

But under the terms of Cadaret’s contract, he is guaranteed $375,000 this season. If he signs with another team for the major league minimum of $200,000, the Dodgers would still have to pay Cadaret $175,000.

The Dodgers would not have to pay Cadaret if he is traded, and General Manager Kevin Malone is working on a deal. But Malone hopes Cadaret will reconsider going to Albuquerque.

“I hope he sees the value in that,” Malone said, “as opposed to sitting at home and hoping the phone rings.”

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ ISMAEL VALDES (11-10, 3.98 ERA)

vs.

DIAMONDBACKS’ ANDY BENES (14-13, 3.97)

Dodger Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

TV--ESPN. Radio--AM 1150, KWKW 1330.

Update--Valdes was impressive in spring training, going 4-0 with a 1.46 ERA in six starts. The strong exhibition performance persuaded Manager Davey Johnson to slot Valdes third in the starting rotation, inspiring the talented--but enigmatic--young right-hander. “It feels good when your manager and your organization have confidence in you,” said Valdes, who seems determined to shed his image as an underachiever. “I feel good about how I’ve been throwing the ball, I just have to keep doing the same thing I’m doing during the season.” Benes is no longer Arizona’s ace because Randy Johnson is in the rotation, but the Diamondbacks are counting on a big season from the right-hander.

Benes’ victory total tied a record for pitchers on expansion teams last season. He won seven of his last nine decisions, and did not give up an earned run in his final 27 1/3 innings.