Erik Bedard to start for Dodgers in San Antonio vs. Rangers

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dodgers pitcher Erik Bedard, vying for a premium spot on the club's starting rotation depth chart, will start for the Dodgers on Friday night against the Rangers in San Antonio, the first of two exhibition games next weekend at the Alamodome.

Zack Greinke will start the Saturday game in San Antonio. Other Dodgers to make the Texas trip include Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasmani Grandal, Justin Turner and Joc Pederson.

Bedard, who started the spring opener for the Dodgers on March 4, threw to minor league hitters for four simulated innings on the back fields at Camelback Ranch on on Saturday morning. He was originally scheduled to pitch in today's game against the Indians.

"We wanted to be able to get him up and down four times. It's kind of what we talked about with not enough innings to go around," manager Don Mattingly said. "This works out good for him. He'll get stretched out, have him ready if needed."

Bedard threw 55 pitches on Saturday, and will be scheduled to pitch roughly five innings on Friday against the Rangers.

"I kept the ball down. The curveball was the best I've thrown in spring," Bedard said of his Saturday outing. "The changeup was good, the cutter was good. I'm keeping it down."

The 36-year-old Bedard has allowed one run on two hit in four innings in two Cactus League appearances this spring. He views the San Antonio trip as an opportunity to stay on track for the season and avoid the innings crunch in camp.

"We have a lot of guys in camp. Just to go out there and face some hitters and get the pitch count up is basically what you want to do," Bedard said. "I'm gradually working into it. As the pitch count goes up, I'm feeling better and better. Just trying to get to 100 pitches before the season starts."