DeWitt's debut

Welcome to Bigs Blake DeWitt.

The Sikeston star got his first Major League hit Tuesday in his first at-bat as the starting third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers. DeWitt also walked twice, scored once hitting eighth and started a double play.

You can read more on the game here which includes this:

There is still plenty of youth to either blend -- or clash -- with veterans like Kent. For example, there's Blake DeWitt, whose three-week meteoric rise from Minor League camp to Opening Day third baseman included starting a key second-inning double play and singling in his first Major League at-bat.

DeWitt's unusually calm exterior finally cracked, but not until the final play when Takashi Saito threw out Ray Durham on a comebacker.

"That's when I started shaking," said DeWitt. "I can't explain it. Nothing bothered me before or during the game."

DeWitt, however, credited some of his cool to the advice of Kent, a teammate perceived by some as a troublemaker last year for sounding off about his frustration with the approach of some young players. But DeWitt said Kent made a difference for him Monday.

"He came up to me and was great before the game, telling me to stay within myself and not try to do too much," DeWitt said of Kent. "I think I was relaxed as much from that as anything."

And here's an AP story on DeWitt's game:

Blake DeWitt capped his unlikely journey to the big leagues Monday by playing third base for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their season opener against the San Francisco Giants, and got a hit in his first at-bat.

The Dodgers made DeWitt’s debut official Monday morning by purchasing his contract from Double-A Jacksonville and placing infielder Tony Abreu on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26.

“I felt great. I was really pumped up to get out there. I don’t think I’ve ever run that first in my life,” DeWitt said regarding his trip to first base. “I felt like I was floating. I was pretty excited. You dream about it when you’re a little kid. It was a great day.”

DeWitt fielded Jose Castillo’s grounder and started an inning-ending double play with runners at first and third in the second. He lined a single off Barry Zito in the bottom of the inning, and later scored on a single by Rafael Furcal.

DeWitt wound up going 1-for-2 with two walks in the Dodgers’ 5-0 victory. His out was a drive to the warning track in right-center.

“He played good, man,” winning pitcher Brad Penny said. “That kid’s a good player. He’s going to be around for a while.”

The 22-year-old DeWitt hit .220 in 21 exhibition games with three homers, 10 RBIs and only eight strikeouts in 59 at-bats. He played in 89 games for Class A Inland Empire last year, hitting .298 with eight homers and 46 RBIs, and another 45 with Jacksonville, hitting .381 with six homers and 20 RBIs.

“Because of injuries, he’s been on a fast track,” Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent said of DeWitt. “He’s handled everything right. That’s more than half the battle, being able to be emotionally stable in a game.”

DeWitt, who had never played above Double A, became the fifth player to start at third for the Dodgers on opening day in the last five years.

“We’re not asking him to do anything other than play his position,” Joe Torre said before making his successful managerial debut with the Dodgers. “We’re not asking him to carry us. He’s a quiet kid, not trying to convince any one of anything. He’s very calm. He’s got me tricked if he’s not.”

The Dodgers also purchased the contract of infielder Angel Chavez from Triple-A Las Vegas, and made room on their 40-man roster by designating right-hander Eric Hull for assignment. Abreu joined third basemen Nomar Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche and right-hander Jason Schmidt on the 15-day DL. They’re on the DL retroactive to March 20. 

Also on Tuesday, Tyler Hansbrough was named to the AP All-America team and it rained again in Poplar Bluff.