Betancourt fought sinus condition in camp

Rafael Betancourt revealed Friday he was sick almost the entire time he was in Arizona.

 "I had a lot of sinus problems the whole spring,'' he said. "I guess it was the dry air, but I took medication for it. The last couple of days I've started to feel better.''

THE LINEUP -- Manager Eric Wedge announced his lineup for the season opener against the Rangers in Arlington Monday afternoon.

  1. Grady Sizemore (CF) 
  2. Mark DeRosa (3B) 
  3. Victor Martinez (1B)
  4. Travis Hafner (DH) 
  5. Jhonny Peralta (SS) 
  6. Shin-Soo Choo (RF) 
  7. Kelly Shoppach (C) 
  8. Ben Francisco (RF) 
  9. Asdrubal Cabrera (2B)

The lineup will change for the second day of the series, when Martinez catches Fausto Carmona and Ryan Garko plays first.

HOW SOON WE FORGET -- Last season ended with Carmona serving a five-game suspension for hitting Gary Sheffield with a pitch that triggered a fight.

One game remains on the suspension, which Carmona will serve on Monday. He is permitted to engage in pre-game workouts but is not allowed to be in the dugout or on the bench during the game. He can watch from the grandstand.

SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE -- Even during exhibition season, most National League clubs deign to use a designated hitter on their own turf.

But after employing pitchers in the lineup Friday night, the Astros will allow the DH for this afternoon's game.

"They talked about it early on,'' Wedge said. ""They were really good about it.''

A REAL TEST -- When Anthony Reyes makes his final spring training tuneup pitching for Kinston on Tuesday, his opponent will be Mt. Olive College.

MARCHING ONWARD -- The Indians complete their spring exhibition schedule this afternoon against the Astros. Carl Pavano will start against Mike Hampton, with Kerry Wood, Masa Kobayashi, Joe Smith and Zach Jackson set to work out of the bullpen.