Schmidt won’t miss Giants all the time

It’s a month away, sure, but players’ thoughts are already drifting toward the regular season. Amid the monotony of spring training, it is something real, something that will matter.

Jason Schmidt, who pitched two scoreless innings in the Dodgers’ 12-7 victory over the Washington Nationals on Friday at Holman Stadium, has learned he will be the third starter, meaning he will pitch the home opener April 9 in his second start.

It also means he will miss the first series at San Francisco against the Giants team he played for the last six seasons.

“Eventually I’ll pitch against them,” he said. “I’m sure it will be interesting.”

Giants fans are notoriously tough on players who sign free-agent contracts with other teams. They still boo Jeff Kent, who won a National League most-valuable-player award as a Giant in 2000 and helped the team to the World Series in 2002.

“I’ll expect the worst and hope for the best,” Schmidt said.

He’s guaranteed a supportive crowd for the home opener against the Colorado Rockies.

“I’ll look forward to that,” he said. “It’s a while away. I usually don’t think of those things until a day before the ballgame.”

Big bat Bigbie

Outfielder Larry Bigbie, a former first-round pick who is coming off an injury-filled season with the St. Louis Cardinals, was impressive for the third day in a row, hitting a three-run home run in the fifth inning, a ground-rule double in the seventh and a two-run homer in the eighth.

Bigbie, the Baltimore Orioles’ opening-day left fielder in 2003 and 2004, also homered during the intrasquad game Wednesday and singled in his only at-bat Thursday. He could squeeze onto the roster if the Dodgers keep 14 position players but more likely would become trade bait with a strong spring.

“I want to get my name back out there as a healthy ballplayer,” he said. “The last couple of years were frustrating. I’ll just keep plugging away.”

Bigbie can opt out of his contract if the Dodgers ask him to go to the minors.

“I never wanted to be one of those guys who says they should be in the big leagues when they get sent down,” he said. “The more you gripe, the more you stay there.”

Shaky outing

Mark Hendrickson wants to be the fifth starter. But the the 6-foot-10 left-hander didn’t pitch well in his first spring outing.

Hendrickson gave up five runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth on a home run by Ryan Zimmerman before getting lifted after 1 2/3 innings.

Making a better showing was left-hander Greg Miller, a top prospect who probably will begin the season in the starting rotation at double-A Jacksonville or triple-A Las Vegas. Miller pitched two scoreless innings to earn the victory, striking out one.

Designated assignment

The Dodgers will utilize a designated hitter as often as possible until an off day March 14 to get position players additional at-bats.... Utility player Marlon Anderson still isn’t close to playing after feeling discomfort in his throwing elbow, nearly five months after having surgery to remove bone chips.... Brad Penny will start today against the New York Mets.

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steve.henson@latimes.com